How to connect - FAQs

We answer some of our customers' frequently asked questions about the connection process below:

Who can fill in the connection request?

The customer, or any person authorised by the customer, can fill in the online request. This includes your electrical contractor or consultant, your designer of the electrical installation, or your architect or project or contract manager.

What is the process for connections?

When the online request is submitted, you will receive an email response that indicates your 'next steps'. These will be tailored to your specific request.

Where can I find more information about requesting a large commercial connection?

View information on the steps to take when designing the electricity supply to your new commercial property. Our key message is "please talk to us early".

How long should the process take?

A request for standard residential connection capacity, where you will be connecting to our existing network at your boundary, can take up to 35 working days to approve from the date of being assigned a contract manager. 

For larger projects, it may take several months to connect your property to our electricity network. Connections usually can't happen immediately because some electrical equipment takes a while to design, tender, build or source.

We will work with you to get power on as quickly as we can.

Please make your request early and don't leave it to the last minute.

What's the difference between Orion and an electricity retailer?

Orion provides the poles, power lines, underground cables and other electrical equipment necessary to deliver electricity to the network connection point.

Electricity retailers sell the electricity which is delivered using that equipment.

An electricity account collects money for both the electricity and the delivery of the electricity. The retailer then passes on our portion for the service we provide.

Where does Orion's network end in relation to my property?

The point where ownership changes is called the 'network connection point'. This is usually at the property's boundary. The customer is responsible for the electrical installation on the premises side of the network connection point (ie on the customer's property). We are responsible for all equipment on the network side of that point.