Insights into approval times for connecting to networks

New data from distributors shows most applications to connect distributed generation to their networks were approved well within the required timeframes, but there are opportunities to further clarify the rules.

In December 2025, we sought information from distributors about the type and number of applications they received to connect distributed generation to their networks. We also collected data about the outcomes of those applications and the time taken to process them.

View the insights in our report: Monitoring distributors’ performance processing distributed generation connection applications (November 2021 – October 2025)

This information request covered applications for distributed generation of all sizes, from small-scale rooftop solar to commercial wind and solar farms, for the period November 2021 to October 2025.

Insights

Applications for small-scale connections (under 10kW):

• Fewer than 13% took longer than the required timeframe to process.
• Delays were most commonly due to incomplete applications, unpaid fees, requests for additional information or technical issues.

Applications for large-scale connections (more than 10kW):

• Fewer than 3% were declined.
• These were mostly due to network constraints or applicants providing incomplete information.

The data also shows a 180% increase in applications to connect large-scale distributed generation to networks between 2022 and 2025, and a 39% increase in applications to connect smaller-scale distributed generation where the streamlined process was used.

This overall growth highlights the importance of ensuring the application processes for new connections are efficient and fit-for-purpose.

Stronger monitoring of distributed generation

We collected this information for the first time to better understand the effectiveness of distributors’ existing application processes for connecting distributed generation. We will use this information as a baseline to assess distributors’ future performance and monitor changes over time. We will continue collecting this data as the new rules to improve application processes come into effect from 1 December 2026.

Our report also highlights further opportunities to clarify the Code requirements for processing applications to connect to networks and improve distributors’ record-keeping and data quality.

Two improvements already underway

We are currently consulting on two proposed Code changes to improve the application process for small-scale distributed generation.

The proposed changes clarify that distributors must:

• Offer both the streamlined process as well as the more involved process to connection applicants, as appropriate. This is to avoid distributors using the longer process where it’s not needed.
• Pause the timeframe ‘clock’ when they are waiting for additional information from the applicant, rather than request an extension, when using the streamlined process.

These proposals would help ensure the rules around application processes are working as intended, and support good outcomes for both connection applicants and the distributors.

Next steps

The Authority will next seek information about distributors’ application processes for the period November 2025 to November 2026, before consulting on ongoing monitoring once the new rules for large-scale applications come into effect on 1 December 2026.

From 1 June 2027, distributors will also need to extend the rules for application processes for connecting load to networks.

These are part of a suite of new rules from stage one of the Network connections project that will make connecting to networks faster, easier, more consistent across distributors and more equitable.