Generation

About generation

Generation equipment sometimes referred to as distributed generators or embedded generators, can be installed to produce electricity for use at home or by a business. They may also be capable of putting surplus energy back into Orion's distribution network. These generators can take several forms:

• solar.
• wind or micro-hydro turbines.
• diesel.
• vehicle to grid.
• other generation.

You will need to apply for approval when installing generation equipment, this allows us to ensure it’s safely connected to our network.

Changes to the application process

To meet new requirements to integrate with The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko registry we have made a number of changes to our online application for generation.

Find out more about these changes.

Connecting to our network

To connect to the Orion network you will need a licensed electrician to complete wiring and electrical documentation. We encourage you to work through your application with your licensed electrician/installer or get them to apply on your behalf, as they can provide the necessary technical information.

• A licensed inspector must complete a record of inspection (RoI). 
• If an inverter is required for your installation, it must be an approved inverter. An inverter is an electrical device that transfers energy from your generator. The inverter has built-in electrical protection systems that keep you and electrical workers safe. View our list of approved compliant inverters.
• Information on the size of your energy system. This allows us to manage network congestion of surplus energy.
• Generation must not be connected to our network without our express written approval.
• There are limits on how much power you can send to the network, for more information please refer to our Congestion Management Policy.
• If you are unsure if you need approval please get in touch for assistance.

The Electricity Authority has information(external link) on the rights and responsibilities of a person or organisation wanting to connect a distributed generation system to an electricity network and the network provider.

Generation under 15 kW

Usually distributed generation under 15 kW is residential based and installed at homes or small businesses. Inverter based systems are the most common installation on our network.

Apply and connect in 4 steps

We encourage you to work through your application with your licensed electrician/installer or get them to apply on your behalf, as they can provide the necessary technical information.

Step 1 - select your system

Step 2 - contact your electricity retailer

Step 3 - apply online and pay application fee (fees available from our Orion connection charges and fees schedule)

Step 4 - once approved by Orion - connect your generation

Get detailed guidelines for under 15 kW generation application and connection.

Generation over 15 kW under 100 kW

Generation systems between 15 kW and 100 kW are usually found on larger homes or small businesses. While they’re great for producing and potentially exporting electricity to the grid, they can also affect the local power network. In particular, they might impact the quality of electricity for nearby customers, so it’s important to make sure they are set up correctly.

Apply and connect in 4 steps

We encourage you to work through your application with your licensed electrician/installer or get them to apply on your behalf, as they can provide the necessary technical information.

Step 1 - select your system

Step 2 - contact your electricity retailer

Step 3 - apply online and pay application fee (fees available from our Orion connection charges and fees schedule)

Step 4 - once approved by Orion - connect your generation

Get detailed guidelines for over 15 kW under 100 kW generation application and connection.

Generation over 100 kW under 1 MW

Generation systems that export between 100 kW and 1 MW of electricity are often used by medium to large industrial businesses. Because of their size, they can have noticeable effects on the wider electricity network and the surrounding community.

To make sure everything runs smoothly for everyone, it’s important that these systems are set up and operated in a way that doesn’t negatively impact other nearby connections. We’re here to help ensure your system works well within the network and support a reliable power supply for our community.

Apply and connect in 4 steps

We encourage you to work through your application with your licensed electrician/installer or get them to apply on your behalf, as they can provide the necessary technical information.

Step 1 - select your system

Step 2 - contact your electricity retailer

Step 3 - apply online and pay application fee (fees available from our Orion connection charges and fees schedule)

Step 4 - once approved by Orion - connect your generation

Get detailed guidelines for over 100 kW under 1 MW generation application and connection.

Generation over 1 MW enquiry

If you're planning a generation system that can export more than 1 MW of electricity, it could have a big impact, not just on our local network, but possibly on the national grid too. That’s why we need to hear from you early in the planning process.

By getting in touch with us early on, we can better understand your plans and work with you to find the most efficient and effective way to connect your system to our network.

Get detailed guidelines for over 1 MW generation application and connection.

Change your generation connection

You may need to update your distributed generation connection if you are:

• Updating technology.
• Increasing capacity.
• Switching fuel types.
• Adjusting to shifts in electricity demand.

Any changes can affect how much electricity you export to the grid, voltage levels and overall power quality, so it is important to notify us before making updates.

There is no charge/fee for submitting a change request for your generation connection.

Export limit changes

If you want to change your export limit, you must request approval first.

There are limits on how much power you can send to the network, for more information please refer to our congestion management policy.

Compliance requirements

Compliance is important. If you are changing your generation plant, you must supply a Record of Inspection (RoI) and a Certificate of Compliance (CoC).

Compliant inverters

Please check this pre-approved list of compliant inverters to see if your chosen inverter is included. If your inverter is not on this list, you will need to supply a copy of the specifications and a current certificate of suitability to AS/NZS 4777.2 with your application. 

Compliant inverters (AS 4777.2.2020) [PDF, 666 KB]