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This
legislation is administered by the Electricity Authority. For more
information please see: Website: https://www.ea.govt.nz/ Contact
phone: +64 4 460 8860 Contact
address: PO Box 10041, Wellington 6143 |
Electricity Industry Participation Code (Frequency and voltage
related amendments) Amendment 2026
This amendment to the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (Code) is made under section 38 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010 (Act) by the Electricity Authority having complied with section 39 of the Act.
Amendment
1 Title
This is the Electricity Industry Participation Code (Frequency and voltage related amendments) Amendment 2026.
2 Commencement
This amendment comes into force on 1 July 2026.
3 Code amended
This amendment amends the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010.
Part 1
Amendments to Part 1 of the Electricity Industry
Participation Code
4 Clause 1.1 amended (Interpretation)
(1) In clause 1.1(1), insert in their appropriate alphabetical order:
inherent dead band means the range of system
frequency values around 50 hertz within which a generating unit does not provide an immediate frequency control
response, due to the physical characteristics of the generating unit
maximum continuous MW output power means:
(a) for each generating station, embedded generating station or generating unit for which a generator or an embedded generator must submit an offer under this Code, the maximum dispatch quantity (in MW alternating current (a.c.)) of the generating station, embedded generating station or generating unit as specified in the asset capability statement for the generating station, embedded generating station or generating unit; or
(b) for each generating
station, embedded generating station or generating unit for
which a generator or an embedded generator is not required to
submit an offer under this Code, the maximum active power output
(in MW alternating current (a.c.)) of the generating
station, embedded generating station or generating unit at
its point of connection that can be maintained continuously over a
5-minute period of time under ideal operating conditions—
(i) as specified in the asset capability statement for the generating station, embedded generating station or generating unit; and
(ii) with the generating station, embedded generating station or generating unit maintaining compliance with this Code in the absence of any exemption, dispensation, equivalence arrangement or similar
(2) In clause 1.1(1), definition of good electricity industry practice,—
(a) insert “means: (a)” after “good electricity industry practice”; and
(b) replace “transmission, means” with “a grid owner,” after “in relation to”; and
(c) replace “. The determination is” with “, with the determination” after “environmental protection”; and
(d) insert “; and” after “the applicable law”; and
(e) insert, as paragraph (b):
(b) in relation to a distributor, the exercise of that degree of skill, diligence, prudence, foresight and economic management that would reasonably be expected from a skilled and experienced electricity network owner engaged in New Zealand in the distribution of electricity under conditions comparable to those applicable to the distributor’s network consistent with applicable law, safety and environmental protection, with the determination of comparable conditions to take into account factors such as the relative size, duty, age and technological status of the relevant distribution network and the applicable law
(3) In clause 1.1(1), definition of point of connection, revoke subclause (b).
Part 2
Amendments to Part 8 of the
Electricity Industry Participation Code
5 Clause 8.21 amended (Excluded generating stations)
(1) In clause 8.21(1)—
(a) insert “or embedded generating station” after “means a generating station”; and
(b) replace “exports less than 30 MW to a local network or the grid” with “has a maximum continuous MW output power of less than 10 MW”; and
(c) insert “or embedded generating station” after “under clause 8.38 that the generating station”.
(2) In clause 8.21(2), replace “an excluded generation station” with “an excluded generating station”.
(3) After clause 8.21(2), insert:
(3) A generating station or embedded generating station that was an excluded generating station immediately before 1 July 2026 that would no longer be an excluded generating station due to the commencement of the Electricity Industry Participation Code (Frequency and voltage related amendments) Amendment 2026 continues to be an excluded generating station if―
(a) it is not able to comply, without modification, with one or more of the requirements it would be subject to if it was no longer an excluded generating station; and
(b) the asset owner of the generating station or embedded generating station updates the asset capability statement for the generating station or embedded generating station to record that this subclause applies to the generating station or embedded generating station.
(4) Subject to subclause (5), a generating station or embedded generating station that first electrically connects to the grid or directly or indirectly to a local network on or after 1 July 2026 and before 1 July 2027 and which would have been an excluded generating station if the definition of that term in the Code immediately before the commencement of the Electricity Industry Participation Code (Frequency and voltage related amendments) Amendment 2026 applied to it, is an excluded generating station if―
(a) it is not able to comply, without modification, with one or more of the requirements it would be subject to if it was no longer an excluded generating station; and
(b) the asset owner of the generating station or embedded generating station updates the asset capability statement for the generating station or embedded generating station to record that this subclause applies to the generating station or embedded generating station.
(5) In order for subclause (4) to apply to a generating station or embedded generating station, the asset owner of the generating station or embedded generating station must confirm in writing to the system operator before 1 August 2026 that the following have occurred in respect of the generating station or embedded generating station:
(a) the asset owner has secured financing that enables the asset owner to develop and commission the generating station or embedded generating station:
(b) the asset owner has obtained all consents necessary to enable the asset owner to develop and commission the generating station or embedded generating station:
(c) the asset owner has obtained rights to use the land on which the generating station or embedded generating station is to be located.
(6) Subclauses (3) and (4) cease to apply in respect of a generating station or embedded generating station from the date―
(a) a modification is made to the generating station or embedded generating station that means it is able to comply with all the requirements it would be subject to if it was not an excluded generating station; or
(b) the generating station’s or embedded generating station’s maximum continuous MW output power increases by 5 MW or more above its maximum continuous MW output power immediately before 1 July 2027.
(7) An asset owner must, as soon as practicable, update the asset capability statement for a generating station or embedded generating station to record when subclause (3) or (4) ceases to apply to the generating station or embedded generating station.
(8) The system operator must publish and maintain a list of generating stations and embedded generating stations to which subclause (3) or (4) applies.
6 Clause 8.23 heading replaced (Voltage support AOPOs)
Replace the heading to clause 8.23 with:
8.23 Voltage support AOPOs for grid-connected generating stations
7 New clause 8.23A inserted (Voltage support AOPOs for embedded generating stations)
After clause 8.23, insert:
8.23A Voltage support AOPOs for embedded generating stations
(1) Unless agreed otherwise with the distributor who operates the local network, each embedded generator must ensure that each embedded generating station it owns or operates to which clause 5(2A) of Technical Code A applies is, when synchronised with the local network, at all times capable of―
(a)
when the voltage at the embedded
generating station’s point of connection to the local network is
within the applicable range of nominal voltage in the table below, exporting a
minimum reactive power of 33% of the maximum continuous MW output
power of the embedded generating station, as measured at the embedded
generating station’s point of connection to the local network:
|
Nominal local network voltage (kV) |
Voltage range for which reactive power is required |
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Minimum (kV) |
Maximum (kV) |
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110 |
99 |
-10.0% |
121 |
10.0% |
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66 |
62.7 |
-5.0% |
69.3 |
5.0% |
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50 |
47.5 |
-5.0% |
52.5 |
5.0% |
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33 |
31.35 |
-5.0% |
34.65 |
5.0% |
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22 |
21.45 |
-2.5% |
22.55 |
2.5% |
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11 |
10.725 |
-2.5% |
11.275 |
2.5% |
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(b)
when the voltage at the embedded
generating station’s point of connection to the local network is
within the applicable range of nominal voltage in the table below, importing a
minimum reactive power of 33% of the maximum continuous MW output
power of the embedded generating station, as measured at the embedded
generating station’s point of connection to the local network:
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Nominal local network voltage (kV) |
Voltage range for which reactive power is required |
||||
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Minimum (kV) |
Maximum (kV) |
||||
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110 |
104.5 |
-5.0% |
121 |
10.0% |
|
|
66 |
62.7 |
-5.0% |
69.3 |
5.0% |
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|
50 |
47.5 |
-5.0% |
52.5 |
5.0% |
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|
33 |
31.35 |
-5.0% |
34.65 |
5.0% |
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|
22 |
21.45 |
-2.5% |
22.55 |
2.5% |
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11 |
10.725 |
-2.5% |
11.275 |
2.5% |
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8 Schedule 8.3, Technical Code A, clause 4 amended
In Schedule 8.3, Technical Code A, in the chapeau to clause 4(5), insert “on the grid” after “a point of connection”.
9 Schedule 8.3, Technical Code A, clause 5 amended
(1) In Schedule 8.3, Technical Code A, after clause 5(1)(c)(iii), insert:
(iv) operates with a dead band not exceeding the greater of;
(A) ±0.1 Hertz; or
(B) the inherent dead band of the generating unit, as agreed with the system operator acting reasonably; and
(2) In Schedule 8.3, Technical Code A, after clause 5(1), insert:
(1A) For a generator with a generating unit that has electrically connected to a network prior to the commencement of the Electricity Industry Participation Code (Frequency and voltage related amendments) Amendment 2026, the requirement in subclause (1)(c)(iv) only applies from the time of the next periodic test of the generating unit carried out in accordance with Appendix B of Technical Code A following the commencement of the Electricity Industry Participation Code (Frequency and voltage related amendments) Amendment 2026.
(1AB) The requirement in subclause 1(c)(iv) does not apply to generating units for which geothermal heat is the primary power source.
(3) In Schedule 8.3, Technical Code A, after clause 5(2), insert:
(2A) Each embedded generator must at all
times ensure that each of its embedded generating stations connected to
a local network is equipped with, and operates when
the conditions specified in subclause (2B) apply, a voltage control system
that enables the embedded
generating station to export or import reactive power through the embedded
generating station’s point of connection to the local network so as
to regulate voltage at the embedded generating station’s point of connection to the local network.
(2B) The conditions that apply under subclause (2A) are that the embedded generating station—
(a) electrically connects to the local network at the nominal voltage of the electrical busbar—
(i) at which a grid owner has agreed to provide services to the local network owner; and
(ii) that is electrically closest to the embedded generating station; and
(b) has
a maximum continuous MW output power of
10 MW or
more.
(2C)
Subclause (2A) only applies in respect of
an embedded generating station—
(a) if
the distributor who operates the local network has not directed
the embedded generator to operate the embedded generating station
in an alternative voltage control mode (such as constant reactive power
or constant power factor) for the purpose of enabling the distributor to
operate the local network in accordance with good electricity
industry practice; and
(b) that, if first electrically connected
to a local network before 1 July 2027, is able to
comply, without modification, with all the requirements in subclause (2A) and
in clause 8.23A.
(2D) Subclause (2C)(b)
ceases to apply in respect of an embedded generating station from
the date―
(a) a modification is made to the embedded
generating station that means it is able to
comply with all the requirements in subclause (2A) and clause 8.23A; or
(b) the embedded generating station’s maximum continuous MW output power increases by 5 MW or more above its maximum continuous MW output power immediately before 1 July 2027.
(2E) Each embedded generator must update the asset capability statement for an embedded generating station to―
(a) explain the extent to which the embedded generating station complies with the requirements of subclause (2A), where that subclause applies; and
(b) record any direction given in respect of the embedded generating station under subclause (2C)(a).
(2F) When preparing the information required under subclause (2E), an embedded generator is not required to undertake and provide power system studies that are additional to the power system studies the embedded generator must undertake for, and provide to, the distributor who operates the local network to which the embedded generating station is connected.
10 Schedule 8.3, Technical Code A, clause 6 amended
In Schedule 8.3, Technical Code A, clause 6, insert “on the grid” after “1 point of connection”.
Made at Wellington on 10 March 2026
%20Amendment%202026%20(html).files/image003.png){kind=small}
Erik Westergaard
Acting Chair
Electricity Authority
Certified in order for signature:
%20Amendment%202026%20(html).files/image005.png)
%20Amendment%202026%20(html).files/image007.png)
Tiffany Matsis Nick Crang
Senior Legal Counsel Partner
Electricity Authority Duncan
Cotterill
6 March 2026 6 March 2026
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Explanatory Note
This note is not part of the amendment but is
intended to indicate its general effect.
This
amendment to the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 comes into force
on 1 July 2026.
The amendment amends Parts 1 and 8 of the Code to address frequency and voltage related issues by:
a. lowering the threshold for the exclusion of generating stations from the frequency‑related asset owner performance obligations and the technical codes in Part 8 of the Code from 30 MW to 10 MW;
b. setting a permitted maximum dead band beyond which a generating station must contribute to frequency management and frequency support;
c. amending the voltage support obligations for embedded generating stations; and
d. amending the threshold for compliance with fault ride through asset owner performance obligations.
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This is secondary legislation issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2019. |
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Title |
Electricity Industry Participation Code (Frequency and voltage related amendments) Amendment 2026 |
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Principal or amendment |
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Consolidated version |
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Empowering Act and provisions |
Electricity Industry Act 2010, section 38 |
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Replacement empowering Act and provisions |
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Maker name |
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Administering agency |
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Date made |
10 March 2026 |
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Publication date |
16 March 2026 |
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Notification date |
12 March 2026 |
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Commencement date |
1 July 2026 |
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End date (when applicable) |
Not applicable |
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Consolidation as at date |
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Related instruments |
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