Welcome to the power team
When you connect to the New Zealand Grid you become one of our customers and we will support you with a dedicated Customer Relationship Manager and we will draft an individual engagement plan with you.
For further information on our process check out the information below or contact us at [email protected].
New customer - information checklist
Further detail on the connection process
- Application stage for generation and storage connections
To manage high interest in connecting grid scale generation and storage, and to focus resourcing on projects which are more likely to be built, Transpower requires a formal Application for grid scale generation and storage connection requests to join our generation pipeline.
Applicants for grid scale generation and storage projects requiring new Transpower assets will need to:
- provide evidence of project readiness via an Application Form, and
- agree to Transpower publishing limited project information, and
- pay an Application Fee, and
- meet project milestones to demonstrate progress during the Investigation and delivery stages. Where milestones are missed and the issue is not remedied within a reasonable time, a project may be placed on-hold and project resources re-allocated. When ready to re-start a project may have to wait until new resources are available. In extreme cases the project may be terminated. For further detail on projects being placed on hold see this process flow - On-hold Process V1 PDF (4/3/2025).
For further information on our Application stage check out the information below or contact us at [email protected].
On 1 July 2024 we completed a review of our Connection Management Framework, the outcome of which is available in the following document:
Connection Management Framework Review Decision Document (1/7/2024)
For new applications see the following process document which includes the latest Application Form and Guidance notes:
Connection Management Framework – Process Document V2 (3/7/2024)
- Customer-led new connections
When will Transpower consider a customer-led connection?
Transpower’s usual process for new Transpower connections works sequentially from concept assessment to investigation, then delivery, with Transpower leading all stages. Some generation or industrial load developers seeking a connection to Transpower may request to lead all or part of the connection process and undertake much of the work themselves.
The following PDF guideline identifies when and under what conditions Transpower may agree to a customer-led approach for connection of new generation or industrial load to Transpower’s transmission network. Transpower involvement is always required, although the extent of this will vary by project.
Customer-led New Connections draft guideline V1.1 September 2024
- Competing connections
How do we manage competing connections?
The electricity market in New Zealand is designed to be competitive, encouraging economic investment in new generation to compete against, and potentially replace, existing generation. As a regulated monopoly Transpower provides open access connections to New Zealand’s power system. Transpower will connect any new development (generation or demand) where the new connection is technically and logistically feasible, the developer covers all incremental costs associated with the connection, and our ability to operate the power system for the benefit of New Zealand is not compromised. Transpower does not consider the economics of a connection and does not provide advice on whether a project will be financially viable.
With open access there is no guaranteed right to transmission capacity beyond the use of the dedicated Transpower assets forming your direct connection to the power system. After you are connected Transpower may connect competing generation to local Transpower assets not dedicated to your connection. This may require you to compete for transmission capacity in the wholesale electricity market.
For a proposed new point of connection Transpower commits any local spare connection capacity on a first ready first served basis. Spare capacity is committed when we have accepted an application request for your connection and is conditional on your demonstration of reasonable progress against an agreed project milestones. We do not allow companies to ‘reserve spots’ earlier in the connection process to mitigate the risk developers might bank connections for projects that will never be built.
If you have an active connection project with Transpower, but are yet to commit to a Transpower connection, we may receive a request from another party to invest in a connection at the same location. In the interests of operating transparently whilst protecting confidentiality, if we receive a competing connection request at your connection location we will inform you of the existence of this request, and any potential impacts to your project.
We have implemented a generation connection management framework including a formal application stage for generation connections and publication of our generation and non-generation connection pipelines, with the aim of increasing transparency and certainty for your proposed connection in relation to other competing connection requests.
Where multiple parties share a connection location and there is a present or future need for a capacity upgrade to connection assets at that location, all connected parties must agree between them how they will share the Transpower cost to implement an upgrade. In accordance with the Code, Transpower does not determine cost sharing arrangements for capacity upgrades to shared connection assets subject to customer investments. Transpower may facilitate this conversation and may suggest methodologies which connected parties have used in other locations, e.g. a ratio based on anytime maximum load or generation. For shared load connections the following flow chart outlines the process and the associated regulations.
- Service options and connection levels
We will work with you to identify the type of service you require from New Zealand’s National Grid and collaborate on the initial concept assessment. This can vary from a 24/7 ‘always on’ solutions with double-circuit connection and n-1 security in transformer and critical equipment through to lower resilience, lower cost connection solutions. Note, lower resilience connections often require additional operational constraints and extra commercial conditions, potentially including indemnifying Transpower for any associated new risks or increased whole of life operating costs. Low resilience connections will not be feasible on critical parts of our Grid and are offered at Transpower's discretion.
As at July 2024 Transpower no longer offers Hard Tee connections for new connections to existing 220 kV transmission lines.
- Typical new generation connection options and cost ranges
- Typical new load connection options and cost ranges
- Typical connection options - reference diagrams
Minor changes to existing connections
If you need to make configuration changes to an existing connection, but don't require an upgrade, you will need to work with Transpower to coordinate changes to secondary systems. Our Protection & Automation Operational Engineering team can assess your need and advise how to proceed. If this applies to you, please complete and return the following form:
Preferred consenting approach
As customer project numbers continue to increase, we have developed a preferred approach to consenting to better support our customers in obtaining their environmental approvals in a timely manner. This new approach will empower our customers to lead the consenting process and have greater control over project timeframes, while still enabling Transpower to build, operate and maintain our assets. Please click here to view our preferred consenting approach information sheet.
- Standard Transpower conceptual designs for new greenfield connections
Transpower is developing standard conceptual designs for new greenfield customer connections. The first of these covers a 220 kV single circuit in/out substation configured as either a Grid Exit Point (GXP) or Grid Injection Point (GIP). Standard conceptual designs for other connection types will be developed over time.
Standard conceptual designs can be used to accelerate the investigation stage of a greenfield new connection project but will typically need some adjustment for site specific constraints.
The package includes detailed engineering designs as well as simplified layouts and spatial views suitable for inclusion as examples in a consent application.Standard conceptual designs will be used by Transpower as a starting point for applicable Transpower connection investigations. If developers or Engineering Consultants (ECs) wish to use a Transpower’s standard conceptual designs prior to a Transpower investigation or for a customer-led investigation the developer or EC must purchase a subscription to Transpower’s standards subscription service. Third party use of Transpower standards without a subscription is not permitted.
More information on Transpower’s standards subscription service can be found on our Customer Information page.
- Future decommissioning liabilities
For fixed term connection projects involving new Transpower lines and substations there may be future decommissioning liabilities recognised at the time of connection. This will depend on the associated property arrangements and should be considered carefully from the outset.
Read this short guide and decision tree for more details on this topic.
Guidance for different types of connection
- Connect your generation
Do I need to engage with Transpower if I am connecting within a distribution network?
Yes. As state above, regardless of whether you are grid connected or distribution connected, if your generation capability will be greater than 1 MW you will need to provide information to Transpower and there will be ‘Code’ obligations you must meet. The Electricity Authority is the source for Code and Compliance information. Pay particular attention to Parts 3 through Parts 15 of the Electricity Industry Code of Participation. General guidance on your obligations can also be found in the system operator’s Commissioning Generation section. Also check out the 'Connecting generation through a local network' page.
For significant new distributor connected generation requiring new Transpower assets or changes to existing Transpower assets, the distribution company you are connecting to will need to engage with Transpower to plan and develop these. For more information see 'connect your network' below.
More questions?
Read all our documents below, and if not covered drop us a line with your specific questions: [email protected].
Generation Connection FAQs [ pdf 153 KB ]
Generation Connection Guide [ pdf 1.62 MB ]
Guideline Summary of Obligations [ pdf 85 KB ]
Protection Considerations for Generation Connections [ pdf 137 KB ]
Typical property requirements and timeframes for a new GIP substation [ pdf 481 KB ]
New Generation Connecting to Distribution Network FAQ [ pdf 112 KB ]
Harmonic allocations - New direct connects [ pdf 103 KB ]
Typical system study requirements for HV bus connected generation [pdf 138 KB]
Typical system study requirements for supply bus connected generation [pdf 138 KB]
- Connect your industrial plant
Where do I go for protection information?
We have some resources for considering protection requirements as part of your connection:
2017 EEA Presentation [ pdf 801 KB ]
Boundary Protection Issues [ pdf 2.07 MB ]
More questions?
Read all our FAQs and information below, and if not covered drop us a line with your specific questions: [email protected].
New Industrial Load Connections FAQs [ pdf 102 KB ]
Guideline Summary of Obligations [ pdf 141 KB ]
Harmonic allocations - New direct connects [ pdf 103 KB ]
- Connect your distribution network or distributed energy resource (DER)
Who pays to upgrade an existing connection?
For existing connection assets, at end of life, Transpower can fund replacement within our regulated capital expenditure limit, with a Modern Equivalent that meets the Original Service Potential.
- A Modern Equivalent asset performs the same asset function with no significant increase in capacity, security or functionality, that would not be expected from buying a “modern” unit of the same type, built to current day standards.
- Original Service Potential is defined in terms of the existing assets capacity and level of security taken in context of the installation surrounding the asset. This includes ensuring the asset is fit-for-purpose to avoid a near-term upgrade using Transpower’s prudent load forecast.
For a connection asset replacement or a connection enhancement Transpower will also complete a consultation assessment under the Grid Reliability Standard (GRS) as defined in the ‘Code’. This test will identify the most economic connection asset capacity within the constraints of the GRS.
The connecting party can accept the replacement assets option Transpower can fund within our regulated capital expenditure limit or, request a different capacity connection asset based on their own need assessment provided;
- if the chosen capacity provides a lower level of service, the connecting party must seek approval from the Electricity Authority
- if the chosen capacity is larger than determined by the GRS test, the connecting party must consult on the additional investment with their customers and seeks approval from the Electricity Authority
Our regulators promote ‘beneficiary pays’ as a general principle across all areas of capital expenditure. Fully funding a capacity upgrade through the Transmission Pricing Methodology (TPM) may represent a material change in “original service potential” to the benefit of a single customer and displace other investments within our regulated allowed capital expenditures.
Transpower will consider a small increase in capacity during a replacement to maintain the original service potential for its expected life. This capacity would be determined through carrying out an economic assessment (similar to the GRS) using Transpower’s expected load forecast (P50 forecast), excluding any speculative step or trend changes.
For connection asset replacements where the customer choice proposes development of a higher specification asset, the incremental cost (above straight modern equivalent replacement) must be funded through a Transpower Works Agreement (TWA) or alternate independent funding. The replacement only cost can be fundable via the Connection Charge component of the TPM.
For new connections or enhancements to existing connections not due for replacement, the full project cost must be funded through either a TWA with Transpower or alternate independent funding. This also applies to customer requested upgrades to interconnection assets outside Transpower’s RCP funding envelope.
Is the Grid Reliability Standard (GRS) relevant to my connection?
The GRS is an economic test Transpower must use for investments in new interconnection assets under our regulated capex input methodology.
Connection assets investments do not need to pass the GRS. For new connection assets the GRS is used as a consultation test. If your chosen assets resilience or capacity is higher than determined by the GRS test, you must consult on the additional investment with your customers. If significantly higher or lower you will also need to seek approval from the Electricity Authority prior to confirming the investment.
Security / capacity at my GXP is becoming constrained, what are my options?
If your connection is forecast to become constrained, you need improved reliability, or you believe you need an upgraded connection for some other reason, Transpower can undertake a concept assessment including:
- identifying options including “traditional” grid / network enhancement options for customer investment and/or DG or other non-transmission options
- feasibility, high level cost, timeframes and risks for the options identified
- if requested a GRS study
What happens if I connect to a constrained part of Transpower’s network?
The New Zealand power system is run on open access principles. You can request to connect anywhere you want, but Transpower will always need to manage the integrity and security of the transmission system. You cannot buy or reserve capacity on the transmission system.
You can find more information on constraints in our Transmission Planning Report. To understand the uncertainties at play when considering investing, refer to the Investment Uncertainties section (in 2019 TPR, Section 3 Investment Uncertainties).
New connections to constrained parts of our network may also require wider system upgrades to provide you with the level of reliability you require. If these include upgrades to interconnection assets that do not meet the Grid Reliability Standard (GRS) investment test, the cost of these wider upgrades will need to be included as part of your connection investment.
Where do I go for protection information?
As an existing Transpower customer you are welcome to log in to our customer area to access protection information here.
When does Transpower care about connecting generation or storage to a distribution network?
When connecting any generation ≥ 1 MW to a distribution network, in addition to meeting the requirements of the Electricity Distribution Business (EDB) you are connecting to, you will also have obligations to Transpower. Obligations to Transpower typically increase with the size of your project.
Transpower as System Operator has requirements for commissioning any generation ≥ 1 MW. See the system Operator’s Commissioning Generation page for more information.
Transpower as Grid Owner is interested in the impact of your project on Transpower’s grid assets and the impact of your project on the EDB’s ability to comply with their obligations to Transpower at their point of connection, typically the local Transpower substation. To understand this potential impact see the guideline on ‘Transpower Grid Exit Point (GXP) impact studies for Distributed Energy Resource (DER) development’ below.
More questions?
For more answers to your questions check out our FAQs below or send us an email: [email protected]
New Distribution Connection - FAQs [ pdf 114 KB ]
Harmonic allocations - Large distributed energy resources [ pdf 107 KB ]
Transpower Grid Exit Point (GXP) impact studies for Distributed Energy Resource (DER) development [ pdf 128 KB ]
Typical system study requirements for large embedded generation [pdf 138KB]