Part 3: Next steps and implementation
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Relevant legislation and regulation
49. To expand the regulated voltage ranges we would amend certain provisions relating to ‘standard low voltage’ in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010. The regulations generally provide for the management of electrical safety and power quality (voltage, frequency, and harmonic distortion).
50. The regulations governing voltage are made under section 169(1)(7) of the Electricity Act 1992, for the purpose of prescribing the requirements for standardisation of systems of supply and the preservation of the quality of electricity supplied in New Zealand.
51. The relevant purposes of the Electricity Act 1992, as set out in section 1A, are:
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to provide for the regulation, supply, and use of electricity in New Zealand
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to protect the health and safety of members of the public in connection with the supply and use of electricity in New Zealand
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to promote the prevention of damage to property in connection with the supply and use of electricity in New Zealand.
Feedback to this paper will inform further analysis
52. The evidence provided in response to this discussion document will inform further analysis of whether it is likely that voltage ranges could be expanded without significantly risking the health, safety, and property of New Zealand households and businesses (as required by the Electricity Act 1992). The feedback will also help test our initial analysis that expanding voltage ranges could help mitigate or delay upgrades to low voltage network infrastructure to reduce the curtailment of distributed energy resources (especially solar PV). The Minister will be advised on options for this work to proceed and a decision on whether to proceed will be agreed with Cabinet.
53. If that further analysis supports expanding the voltage range, we will develop proposals to amend provisions concerning ‘standard low voltage’ in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and any relevant regulations or standards identified from the responses to question 12. The design of any amendments to regulation will consider feedback about the best option for expanding voltage ranges (expanding the range to ±10% or expanding only the upper limit to +10%) and suggestions concerning their implementation (such as the use of a phased approach or additional safeguards discussed in questions 9 and 10).
54. If the feedback to this discussion document or subsequent analysis does not support expanding the voltage ranges, we will focus on whether alternative approaches, including upgrades to network infrastructure, will be required to support the utilisation of distributed energy resources.