Battery energy storage systems roadmap released

The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko has published a draft two-year roadmap that sets out our work to support investment in battery energy storage systems (BESS). BESS will become increasingly important in the future as New Zealand’s power system relies on more intermittent and variable generation.

Work set out in the roadmap includes:

• Ensuring BESS can connect and operate in the power system without affecting power quality
• Ensuring investors in BESS have the information they need for decision making and can participate in the electricity market to maximise the value of the system
• Removing barriers for BESS to efficiently connect to distribution networks
• Improving network pricing to maximise consumer benefits from new and emerging technologies, including BESS.

We appreciate that BESS technology is evolving rapidly and that there are many initiatives and work underway by investors, industry bodies, and other government agencies to unlock the full potential of BESS. These changes are also happening internationally where many countries are grappling with the same issues.

We welcome feedback on the Authority’s draft roadmap, particularly to identify any potential gaps or to help us prioritise our work.

To submit your feedback or ask any questions about the roadmap please get in touch with the Future Security and Resilience team at fsr@ea.govt.nz by 5pm, 31 July 2025.