Electricity customer connection pricing
Note these prices are effective from 1 September 2025.
Network ready
| Category | Price (excluding GST) |
|---|---|
| New connection livening (new ICP connection) | $400 |
| Modification (modify ICP connection) | $700 |
| Decommission ICP connection | $400 |
Simple pathway
| Category | Description | Price (excluding GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard new connection | Urban Residential and Small Commercial standard connections up to three phase 63 amps | $4,800 |
| Rural Residential and Small Commercial standard connections up to three phase 63 amps | $9,900 | |
| New connection for residential subdivision | Urban or rural up to (and including) five lots | Per connection charge at the relevant residential standard connection rate |
| Greater than five lots | Price per job | |
| Simple non-standard | Simple connection, modification or decommission for which a standard price is not applicable | Price per job |
Complex pathway
| Category | Price (excluding GST) |
|---|---|
| Complex connections | Price per job |
| Complex modification | Price per job |
| Complex decommission | Price per job |
Design fees
| Category | Price (excluding GST) |
|---|---|
| Simple standard | No charge |
| Simple non-standard | $1,000 |
| Complex | Price per job |
Easements
| Category | Price (excluding GST) |
|---|---|
| Easement contribution* | $3,000 |
Pricing descriptions
New connection livening - network ready new ICP connection
A new ICP connection will be assessed as network ready if Powerco determines that all of the following criteria are met:
- A connection point (e.g. pole, pillar, transformer or ring main unit) is identified that meets Powerco's network standards
- There is available capacity on the connection point
- The size of connection requested can be accommodated with no impact on existing infrastructure design
Network ready - modify ICP connection
A modification to an ICP connection will be assessed as network ready if Powerco determines that all of the following criteria are met:
- There is available capacity on the connection point
- The size of connection requested can be accommodated with no impact on existing infrastructure design
Network ready - decommission ICP connection
A decommission of an ICP connection will be assessed as Network Ready if Powerco determines that all of the following criteria are met:
- The correct ICP is identified
- Decommissioning the connection will have no impact on existing infrastructure design
Standard connection
This means new connections to our existing network which are:
- Up to three phases and 63 Amps
- Residential or small commercial
- Eligible for a standard residential or small commercial price category
- Within 30 metres of the existing low voltage or 11kV distribution network supply point, with no more than one new pole
- No new easements required
- Intended consumption is within normal expectations for connection size.
- A maximum of five lots per within a single request
- Livening of the connection charged separately as a Network Ready New ICP Connection
Residential subdivisions
Standard price connections available for residential subdivisions where:
- Up to 5 lots require new connection
- Subdivision is urban as defined by LINZ
- Qualifies for standard connection criteria
Simple non-standard
A job will be assessed as Simple non-standard if Powerco determines that all of the following criteria are met:
- the costs to prepare the design for the job will be ~$1000 or less as proportion of the contractor costs
- If any easements are required, the landowner is the customer (not a third party)
- The customer does not require multiple design options or significant input into the design
- The job does not qualify for standard pricing for any reason (including because third party costs apply)
Design fee
Where a request is simple, but does not meet criteria for a standard price, Powerco requires a design fee to be paid to prepare a design to propose an offer to the customer. If the offer is accepted, the design fee will be factored into the contribution that the customer is required pay towards the build work. If the customer declines the offer, the design fee paid will be retained to cover the costs of preparing the design for the offer.
Easement contribution
If a customer's work requires an easement, Powerco requires a contribution for the easement costs. In the event easement related costs are over and above the amount contributed, Powerco may issue a further invoice for these costs.
FAQs
From 1 September, we’ll be changing our Customer Works Service model and customers will work with us directly, rather than go to Powerco Approved Contractors (PACs) to get their electricity projects done.
As part of this process, we will have set prices for new connections, up to three phase 63 amps. We will also have standard prices for creating new ICPs and modifying or decommissioning existing ICPs. This means standard jobs will have fixed prices rather than being calculated individually each time.
Currently, Powerco calculates its contribution toward customer works every time, following the guidelines in our Capital Contributions Guide. The customer then pays the remaining balance.
Going forward, customers of standard jobs can find out upfront the cost for their job. This will be the only cost the customer will pay. Powerco will cover any additional costs beyond that fixed amount, if necessary. We’ll also be updating our Capital Contributions Guide to reflect this new approach.
We are committed to continuously improving the experience we offer our customers. A key part of this is ensuring our pricing is transparent, fair, and easy to understand.
With the introduction of standard pricing, this change will:
- Streamline access to our services by simplifying the process for common job types like new connections, decommissions, and modifications.
- Ensure that customers with similar connection requirements pay a consistent amount to connect that isn’t linked to network-specific factors such as which side of the road the poles are on.
- Remove the first-mover disadvantage so early customers aren’t penalised for being the first to connect in a new area or development.