Our grid connection process

How to connect to the grid

Transpower's connection process adapts to fit the needs of your connection. For a small, discrete and simple connection you may be up and running on the National Grid in fewer than 18 months depending on demand and resource availability. Large-scale complex connections may take longer than three years to commission.

  • Step One: Contact us and discuss your requirements
  • Step Two: We will send you a Concept Assessment Questionnaire and if applicable a Transpower Services Agreement. One of our subject matter experts will assess your request and requirements. Our standard concept assessment turnaround time is 25-45 working days depending on levels of inquiry and the complexity of each case – the graph below is updated monthly.

Your Customer Journey

The image below shows a typical customer journey with Transpower from initial contact through to ongoing operations, lifecycle replacement and connection enhancements.  We can be flexible to meet your needs, so your journey may take a different path.

customer journey

 

More information on customer journey contracts.

Our tailored approach

We want to work with you to ensure your new generation project is a success. Connecting new generation to the power system takes careful and coordinated planning.

The New Zealand power system is run on open access principles. You can request to build and connect anywhere you want but Transpower will always need to manage the integrity and security of the transmission system. You cannot buy or reserve transmission capacity on the transmission system.

Please engage with us early so that Transpower (as Grid Owner and System Operator), our service provider network and your own teams and service providers can meet your expectations in delivering on an expanding programme of work.

If you are building new generation greater than 1 MW you will need to comply with the Electricity Authority’s Code and Compliance and engage with Transpower in our role as System Operator. Read GL-EA-404 Generation Commissioning Process, or refer to the System Operator's Commissioning Generation page.

Most small assets (<40 MW) choose to connect via the local distributor's network as transmission level connections tend to be more expensive. At some sites a transmission level connection can still be a cost effective option.

Medium-sized assets need to consider the costs and capacity of both options. This should include an assessment on the impact on transmission pricing for you and the distribution company. You can talk to Transpower and the local distribution company about potential implications including connection charges. Transmission pricing is regulated by the Electricity Authority.

Large assets (>50 MW) will usually need to connect directly to Transpower's assets (e.g. a substation) if there is capacity. You will need to enter our connection application or investigation stage to access any spare connection capacity. If no suitable connection assets are available near your site or there is a capacity issue you may need to establish a new greenfield connection (costing upward of $20 million).

No two projects are alike, and many of the costs associated with your new connection will be specific to the site you build on and its location relative to existing transmission assets. Deciding where to connect to the national grid will have the most significant impact on connection cost.

Get in touch with us regardless of whether you are connecting with the National Grid or your local distribution company. We are here to help.

 

Find out more

Connections