Technical consultation opens on improvements to industry switching processes

Industry switching processes

The Electricity Authority has made a provisional decision to amend the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (Code) to modernise electricity switching processes.

Efficient switching processes are critical to a competitive electricity market. They help consumers move between electricity providers easily and ensure responsibilities for electricity supply, metering, and network services are transferred accurately and on time.

The proposed changes would modernise switching arrangements, improve data accuracy, and increase the efficiency and reliability of market processes, helping to reduce switching delays and billing issues for consumers.

We are now seeking technical feedback on the draft Code amendments set out in our consultation paper.

Submissions are welcome by 5pm, Monday 14 September 2026.

View consultation

Join our webinar

We are hosting a webinar from 10.30am to 11.30am, Tuesday 1 September 2026 to explain the proposed Code changes in this consultation and answer questions. The webinar will cover:

• the proposed improvements to switching processes
• key aspects of the draft Code amendments
• the proposed implementation
• questions and answers

Register for the webinar

Multiple trading relationships

Multiple trading relationships (MTRs) are a proposed reform that would allow consumers to engage with multiple electricity service providers at a single connection point, supporting greater choice, competition, and innovation.

Consultation feedback showed broad support for the objectives and potential benefits of MTRs. However, stakeholders also raised concerns about the scale, complexity, costs, and timing of implementation.

Given the significance of the proposed changes, the Authority has decided not to progress MTRs to a Code amendment at this stage.

Instead, we are considering a regulator-led sandbox to test a range of scalable MTR use cases, in a real-world environment. The sandbox would help build the evidence needed to better understand potential benefits, costs, risks and implementation challenges associated with MTRs

Over the coming months, we will work with industry participants, consumers, technology providers and other stakeholders to explore the scope and design of a proposed sandbox.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to both the switching and MTR consultations. Your feedback continues to help shape the Authority's work programme and future market development.