Halswell Flex

Save money by using electricity at smarter times

EECA Delivered in partnership with EECA, Halswell Flex is a new multi-year pilot programme designed to help Halswell households, businesses and community organisations lower their energy costs while supporting a more reliable and sustainable electricity system.  

The pilot is currently open to households only. Later it will open to businesses and community organisations.  

By taking part in the pilot, you'll have the opportunity to:  

  • Access pilot electricity plans and other incentives designed to reward flexible energy use.  
  • Shift some of your electricity use or sell it back to the grid at peak times to reduce your power bills.  
  • Access subsidised smart energy technologies.  
  • Help shape the future of energy use in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

If you live in Halswell, there’s a good chance you will be eligible to participate – whether you already have smart technologies installed or are just getting started.

Follow the steps below to understand how Halswell Flex might be a good fit for your household or business.

Sign up steps

Step 1: Check you're eligible

Check you're in the Halswell Flex zone. Simply enter your street and house number to find your ICP number. This will confirm if your property is located within the pilot area.

✅ If you receive a green tick, you're eligible to continue. You will need to have a smart meter installed at your property to take part in the pilot. Your smart meter helps measure your electricity use and enables access to the pilot electricity retail plans and incentives.

If you're unsure whether you have a smart meter, you can check with the Electricity Authority online(external link).

Step 2: Explore subsidised energy technologies

While not essential to take part in the pilot, you’ll have the option to purchase subsidised smart technologies to help you store, manage or shift your electricity use.  

Depending on your circumstances, eligible smart technologies may include:  

  • Battery systems.
  • Smart EV chargers.
  • Smart hot water controllers.
  • Smart heat pump controllers.
  • Home and business energy management systems.
  • Other approved technologies.

The technologies available will vary by installer, and the full range may not be available initially.  

Subsidies may be available to help reduce the upfront cost of purchasing and installing these technologies. Find out about subsidies here [PDF, 255 KB].

Step 3: Explore options with approved retailers and installers

You'll need to visit the websites of participating electricity retailers to identify the pilot retail plan that works for you. If you are installing new smart technologies you will also need to work with an approved installer.

Retailers and pilot plans

Participating retailers offer pilot plans and incentives that encourage households and businesses to reduce electricity use or export electricity at times when demand on the network is high. 

Aotea Energy(external link) and PowerHub(external link) currently offer Halswell Flex retail plans, alongside installation services for eligible smart energy technologies. We expect to add more participating retailers as the pilot progresses. 

If your current retailer isn’t participating, you’ll need to switch to a participating retailer to take part. 

Work with an approved installer  

If you choose to install new smart energy technologies, a Halswell Flex approved installer can help.

Aotea Energy(external link) and PowerHub(external link) are currently approved installers, and we expect to add more installers as the pilot progresses. 

They'll work with you to:  

Step 4: Start saving and support a smarter energy future

Once you're part of the pilot, you'll be able to:  

  • Use smart technologies to take advantage of cheaper electricity periods.
  • Shift your energy use away from more expensive high electricity use times.
  • Help reduce pressure on the local electricity network.

The more you’re able to shift your electricity use to times when network demand is lower, the greater the opportunity to save on your electricity costs.  

Orion and EECA will use anonymised electricity and equipment usage data collected during the pilot, and we will ask participants to share information about their experience. This will help us better understand how communities and smart technologies can support a more efficient, reliable and sustainable electricity system.

Why Halswell Flex matters

As more people switch to electric vehicles, electric heating and other electric technologies, demand for electricity will continue to grow.

Instead of building costly new infrastructure to meet short periods of very high demand, such as cold winter evenings, Halswell Flex is exploring how communities can use energy in a smarter way during these times.

This pilot will help us understand the benefits that new technologies, pricing incentives and customer participation can deliver.

Installers

If you provide and install smart technologies and would like to become an approved installer for the Halswell Flex pilot, please read more [PDF, 147 KB].

Halswell Flex contact us