Connect power generation - more than 10kw
The following information applies when you generate your own electricity on-site via a generator producing more than 10 kilowatts which is, or will be, connected to our electricity network.
We can approve your application if you provide evidence that your distributed generation complies with our technical requirements.
Your application may be delayed in processing if:
- Your inverter does not meet our technical requirements; and/or
- The information provided in your application was not complete
- More information is required and/or approval from a technician is required
Once your application is approved, unless otherwise agreed, your connection will be governed by the regulated terms (Schedule 6.2) and our Congestion Policy.
Your responsibilities
Before you apply
- Check your inverter is approved and compliant using our approved list
- If your inverter is not on the list, please provide the Certificate of Suitability which shows compliance with ASNZS 4777.2:2015 with your application.
- Read the following documents:
After installation provide us with
- A Certificate of Compliance outlining the scope of the installation (including reference to compliance to AS/NZS 4777.1 and AS/NZS 3000) within 10 working days after installation
- Payment for connection related costs
- Inverter protection settings
- Inverter Volt-VAr and Volt Watt control settings (if applicable)
- Central protection settings (for >30kW only)
- The connection schedule
Upfront application fee
We will charge an initial application fee to help cover our costs to analyse and review the information you provide. The fee varies depending on the size of your connection.
The rates outlined below align with the Electricity Authorities new amendments to distributed generation fees, which took effect from 1 November 2024.
Connection size | Application fee |
|---|---|
>10kW and <100kW | $770* |
>100kW and <1MW | $1,540* |
>1MW | $7,690* |
*In accordance with Schedule 6.5, under Part 6 of the Code
On-site observation and testing fee
Depending on the installation, we may conduct an inspection to ensure that we are satisfied with the installation. The fee varies depending on the size of your connection.
The rates outlined below align with the Electricity Authorities new amendments to distributed generation fees, which took effect from 1 November 2024.
Connection size | Application fee |
|---|---|
>10kW and <100kW | $180* |
>100kW | 1,850* |
*In accordance with Schedule 6.5, under Part 6 of the Code
Our Process
Initiate | Submit the initial application form to DGinfo.applications@vector.co.nz. |
|---|---|
Design and installation | Once we’ve received your payment, we’ll work together on an acceptable installation before your qualified installer can install the generation and electrical wiring. |
Final application | Submit your final application form to DGinfo.applications@vector.co.nz. You’ll be connected on the regulated terms (Schedule 6.2) unless we ask you to sign our Distribution Generation Connection Agreement. |
Connect | Connect your distributed generation system and submit all the documents outlined in the ‘responsibilities - after the installation’ section |
Inspection | In some cases we’ll inspect your installation and charge a nominal fee to cover our expenses |
Want to apply?
Submit the initial application form to DGinfo.applications@vector.co.nz
FAQs
Customers who connected generators to our network on or before 6 December 2016 may be compensated for their contribution towards offsetting Transpower’s transmission costs, please refer to our Avoided Cost of Transmission Methodology for the eligibility criteria.
Vector is no longer allowed to make payments to new distributed generation.
Please send us a copy of the data sheet or the certificate of suitability for the inverter make and model as proof that it will comply with our standards. Refer to our checklist for all the information Vector requires for a non-approved inverter.
At this time, and for the next 12 months, we do not anticipate congestion on our network for connecting distributed generation with a capacity of 10kW or less. However, an assessment is done for each application and we encourage you to read our Congestion Policy to understand how congestion may affect your connection or any future applications.
Unfortunately, no, as the application fee covers our costs to analyse and review the information that you provide. However, we usually work together with our customers to ensure the installation is compliant.
Vector may charge for ongoing expenses incurred because of your distributed generation connection to our electricity network (as per Schedule 6.4). These will be set out in the Distributed Generation Connection Agreement that you will be asked to enter into as part of your application.
If you have a question or concern about your distributed generation application, please contact DGinfo.Applications@vector.co.nz and include your application reference number where possible. If you haven’t heard back, or would like additional support, you can contact customerdevelopments@vector.co.nz for further assistance.