We regulate New Zealand’s electricity market.
Electricity is created when electrons flow through a conducting material, such as the copper or aluminium used in power lines.
Electricity meters keep track of how much power you are using. There are either analogue or smart meters.
You need to sign a contract with the electricity retailer you've chosen. This contract protects you and your rights. It’s important to read and understand the terms and conditions.
New Zealand has one of the fastest switching times in the world.
Innovations in the electricity sector are providing new ways to generate, store and even sell electricity through technology such as solar panels, small wind turbines, and batteries.
We have made it easy for you to access information about your power.
Your bill shows how much power you have used and how much you need to pay.
Our market development work is important to achieving our statutory objective to promote competition in, reliable supply by and the efficient operation of the electricity industry for the long-term benefit of consumers.
A number of different groups provide us with specialist independent and technical advice and recommendations.
We monitor the electricity industry for competitiveness, efficiency and reliability to see if any improvements can be made for the long-term benefit of consumers.
Our electricity market information (EMI) website has a wide range of performance metrics, analytical tools and data available to view or download, for example, retailer market share, monthly switching reports, wholesale final pricing and much more.
If an anomalous event or outcome occurs in the market or the broader electricity sector, we investigate it to determine the causes and whether something can or should be done to prevent such an event or outcome from occurring again.
We develop policy, code provisions and systems for the buying and selling of wholesale electricity and for managing security of supply.
We determine transmission pricing policy and grid reliability standards.
We oversee distributors' interactions with other industry participants and the parts of their operation that have obligations under the Code.
We oversee the processes that deal with accuracy of metering, meter reading and customer switching between retailers - including ways to minimise entry barriers to new retailers.
Participants in the electricity industry must register with us and be listed on the industry participant register.
We contract a range of market operation service providers to operate the electricity markets.
The Electricity Industry Act 2010 allows us to amend the Code and sets out the process we must follow.
The Code sets out industry participant responsibilities, including our own duties and responsibilities.
In the electricity market, a UTS is an extraordinary event that has threatened the integrity of the wholesale market.
We're responsible for ensuring industry participants comply with the Regulations and the Code.
The Rulings Panel assists in the enforcement of the Code by dealing with complaints, appeals and disputes under the Code.
This page contains details of High Court Decisions relating to the Authority's compliance function.
The Electricity Authority is an independent Crown entity responsible for the efficient operation of the New Zealand electricity market. We are the electricity market regulator.
We promote competition in, reliable supply by, and the efficient operation of, the electricity industry for the long-term benefit of consumers.
Documents with key strategic statements as to how the Authority will approach its decision making.
Contact details for the Electricity Authority
Version: 5th October 2017
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EMAIL: info@ea.govt.nz
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