What this means for us
Providing value to our customers is important to us. We do this by ensuring our network services are reliable and tailored to meet their needs. By focusing on smart design and operational excellence, we minimise outages and maintain a steady supply of energy. Through efficient and transparent investment decisions, we offer better value for money in our network solutions and services. Clear connection charges, distribution prices, and optional pricing flexibility empower customers to make informed decisions.
How we deliver on our promise
Moawhango lines replacement
Powerco’s innovative electricity solution using Base Power’s Stand-Alone Power System (SAPS) has significantly improved the reliability and sustainability of energy for two isolated customers in the central North Island. This initiative ensures continuous, high-quality power supply despite challenging terrain and weather conditions, providing great value to these remote customers.
Coromandel fibre project
A 164km fibre optic cable is installed in the Coromandel Peninsula to enhance electricity network management. This fibre will enable real-time performance monitoring and remote control from our Network Operations Centre. The upgrade supports smart technology, allowing better outage detection and remote network operations, ensuring reliable power supply. It means customers will experience fewer outages and quicker restoration times.
Residential hot water control trial
Together with retailers, we trialled hot water load control to potentially cut residential power bills. Over 20,000 connections were involved, testing ways to shift electricity demand. Retailers explored altering hot water heating times to ease grid strain. Initial results showed promising load shifting and efficiency gains, highlighting potential for improved load management.
A cost-effective network with Flex solutions
Traditionally, our network was built for peak demand, leading to inefficient use of capacity. Instead of upgrading, we’re exploring ‘flex’ solutions to manage peak demand and utilise existing capacity during off-peak times. By optimising our operations and continuously seeking innovative solutions, we make energy more affordable and ensure the best value for our customers. Flex solutions help defer or avoid new capacity investment, reducing costs and empowering customers to be part of the solution.
What this means for you
- Power supply reliability: We prioritise building a resilient network capable of managing disruptions and maintaining a continuous power supply as much as possible. By investing in robust asset management and maintenance strategies, we enhance network performance and reliability for our customers.
- Cost efficiencies: We are committed to making energy more affordable for our customers. By optimising our operations and continuously seeking innovative solutions to enhance our network’s efficiency, we ultimately ensure the best value for our customers.
- Innovative energy solutions: Through innovation we provide competitive energy solutions and services and can offer non-network alternatives and options to customers, allowing them to make informed decisions based on their needs.
- Transparent pricing: We provide clear and understandable pricing structures, giving our customers insight into upfront capital cost contributions (where relevant) and their ongoing connection charges. By offering detailed and straightforward connection and service cost information, we empower customers to manage their energy costs effectively.
- Accountability: We’re monitored by regulators to ensure we provide a reliable service to our customers at a fair price. This is known as price-quality regulation. We report on a range of financial and non-financial metrics to meet regulatory requirements and are driven to optimise our operational and investment budgets, so that we deliver sustainable customer satisfaction and value.