Residential Connections

To connect your new residential property to the PowerNet network, an Installation Connection Application will neet do be filled out. Normally your electrician will complete this information as part of the application.

What factors have to be considered by PowerNet when processing an application?

  • How much electricity is required at the new site and how will it be supplied?
  • How much electricity is currently being supplied on that power line and whether it will be large enough to cope with the new power demand or will the power line need to be upgraded?
  • What other activity may be planned or likely to occur in the area in the next few years?
  • Will the new power line have an environmental impact and who should be consulted?
  • If a resource consent or an easement is required, how will that affect the application?
  • How should the new power line be designed?
  • What materials are required to build the new power line and their availability?
  • Can PowerNet complete the work within the timeframe to meet the customers expectations?
  • What specialist contractors may need to be involved?
  • If the power has to be turned off when building the new line, who will that affect and what will the impact be?

Frequently Asked Questions

What about subdivisions?

Development of a new subdivision includes the installation of all necessary reticulation to individual lots. Developers must also make arrangements to connect the reticulation to the electricity network.

Developers are free to choose their own Contractor to perform the design and construction work; however, the Contractor must be approved by PowerNet prior to commencement of construction. The PowerNet document Network Constructed by Independent Contractors Standard provides further information.

When considering an electricity supply the developer must contact PowerNet at the very early stages of planning to discuss the connection process as there are certain statutory functions that only PowerNet can perform.

PowerNet provides four documents that explain what is required to ensure approval to connect to the PowerNet electricity network:

  • The Installation Connection Standard explains PowerNet’s connection requirements and process in detail.
  • The Network Design Standard details the design, materials and installation requirements that must be adhered too.
  • The Network Constructed by Independent Contractors Standard provides guidelines regarding Developer Reticulation in new subdivisions
  • Commercial Terms for New and Altered Customer Connection
How do I arrange electricity infrastructure for subdivisions?

An online installation connection application must be completed for all new and proposed subdivisions, this can be found here. Subdivision plans should be attached to the application so that PowerNet can complete a design for the electrical reticulation. We will complete the design and price the works required.
The developer will be required to contribute towards the cost of the installation and may be required to contribute towards the cost of upgrading the local electrical network to accommodate the new subdivision. The level of contribution will depend on the cost of the work, the size and location of the development and the capital work required to upgrade the local network in order to support the increased electrical load.

PowerNet has a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of the electrical reticulation on our network and that it has been installed to specified standards so that we can provide a reliable service to customers.

PowerNet takes ownership of the new reticulation in order to have ongoing responsibility for managing, controlling and maintaining the electricity reticulation.

The work is carried out by PowerNet after receipt of acceptance of the quote by the developer. Payment is required before work commences. The time frame for completion of the work depends on the developers’ construction programme, the time of year (work can be weather dependent), if there is a lead time required for some of the materials and PowerNet’s commitments.

When the installation is complete and accepted we send the developer a completion letter.

Please be aware that easements may also be required to ensure that PowerNet has legal rights to locate lines, cables and equipment as well as access to maintain the network.

What are smart meters?

PowerNet has been supporting the Network Transformation Roadmap (NTR) that the Electricity Network Association (ENA) has produced. This roadmap helps lines companies such as PowerNet prepare for the future in the electricity distribution industry.

Benefits of meters

The upgrading of our electricity meters have been rolled out across both the Electricity Invercargill Ltd and The Power Company Ltd network over the past few years. The new meters are just like normal electrical meters, the only difference is that they are now digital and more accurate. They also provide retailers the ability to remotely read energy consumption and charge their customers based on actual energy used.

The new electricity meter records the amount of electricity that is actually used in half-hour intervals, then the data is sent back to the retailer via the radio network.

The benefits of the new electricity meters are:

  • Energy usage forecast – Some retailers offer a forecast of the likely energy consumption, which means you will likely know how much your bills would be every month.
  • Energy usage visibility – Some retailers offer tools to allow customers to track their daily power consumption as it is used.

Find out more about smart meters