Consulting Now
Consultation has concluded
Over the past few months we've had lots of conversations with the community, businesses and other key stakeholders. Now is your opportunity to have your say on our draft proposal and what's important to you. Take a look at our Your Network, Your Say Consultation Document. It contains a summary of information that will help you join this important conversation.
How to submit your feedback
You can provide your feedback in lots of different ways, either online, by phone, in person at our drop-in sessions or via the postage paid section at the end of the Your Network, YourContinue reading
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Safety
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkElectricity is dangerous and we need to make sure that our network equipment is safe for the public and people working on or near the network.
A safe network means that you can feel confident that our services will be safe for you and your community.Our Your Say, Your Network Consultation Document sets out what our proposed plan delivers for customers around safety.
What drives our spend
Address safety risks to staff and the general public
The work we will do
- We continue our accelerated pole programme to replace or reinforce 4.7k poles by 2024
- 335km of overhead lines would be replaced.
- 40% of protection systems would be replaced or upgraded
What you get as a customer
A safer network, with reduced risk of asset failures.
Options for further investment
No additional option, our proposed plan already prioritises safety.
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Reliability
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkNobody likes a power cut. Improving the reliability of the network means you can expect fewer unexpected power cuts and the power gets back on quicker when there is a fault.
When we do need to turn the power off to do planned work, you will be well informed in advance about the reason and length of these events.
Our Your Say, Your Network Consultation Document sets out what our proposed plan delivers for customers around safety.
What drives our spend
Reduce the level of unexpected power cuts (faults).The work we will do
Unplanned reliability is also addressed by our safety-driven investments in poles and overhead lines. Ageing switchgear and zone substation transformers would be replaced. We continue the spend on our vegetation management programme to keep trees clear of overhead lines.What you get as a customer
Unplanned power cuts reduce over the three years.Planned power cuts for work stay at similar levels to the past two years as we carry out renewal work.Options for further investment
Additional targeted investment to improve performance for poorly served customers. See our Your Network, Your Say Consultation Document Option A: Improved reliability for worst-served customers, page 38.
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Growth
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkOur region is growing fast, especially in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes. More homes, farms and businesses connecting to the network requires more capacity to get the power where it is needed, when it is needed.
By planning and building for growth, we can cater for higher electricity demand and continue to service growing areas as they expand.
Our Your Say, Your Network Consultation Document sets out what our proposed plan delivers for customers around growth.
What drives our spend
Ensure there is enough network capacity to connect new customers.
The work we will do
We will upgrade the capacity of the network through substation upgrades and by reinforcing overhead lines. We build infrastructure to connect new subdivisions to our network (developers pay for infrastructure inside the subdivision).
What you get as a customer
New customers can connect to the network as the population grows, with some relaxation of security of supply in the short term.
Options for further investment
No additional option, our proposed plan already meets expected future growth during the CPP period. -
Resilience
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkOur Otago climate is changing with more frequent adverse weather events, and more extreme weather highs and lows. Like anywhere in New Zealand, there is potential for a major earthquake in our region.
A more resilient network is better able to withstand a severe storm or major natural disaster.Our Your Say, Your Network Consultation Document sets out what our proposed plan delivers for customers around resilience.
What our proposed plan delivers for customers
The work we will do
By 2022, we will have completed seismic strengthening of our zone substation buildings.Renewals and upgrades of substations will increase their resilience. We would begin work to add resilience to Dunedin’s high voltage network. Our business continuity measures would be strengthened.What you get as a customer
An improvement in the levels of emergency preparedness and response in the event of a major natural disaster.
Options for further investment
Additional investment was considered, which we think can wait until after the three year CPP period. See our Your Network, Your Say Consultation Document Option A: Improved reliability for worst-served customers, page 47.
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Future technology
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe way people access and use our network is changing thanks to the advent of technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels and battery storage.
A network that adapts to a changing future allows you, the customer, to have greater choice to make and store your own energy and power your life with sustainable choices. You will also have the confidence to know that the Aurora Energy network is future proofed and can accommodate changing demands.Our Your Say, Your Network Consultation Document sets out what our proposed plan delivers for customers around future technology.What our proposed plan delivers for customers
What drives our spend
Make initial investments to support network transformation.
The work we will do
Develop modelling for how to manage technology uptake on the low voltage network, where consumers connect solar and electric vehicles. Upgrade network control systems to enable us to more easily integrate local generation, demand management and battery storage.
What you get as a customer
A network that is better able to support customers choices in technologies that connect to the grid. More cost effective and flexible solutions to meeting future growth.
Options for further investment
Additional investment in preparing the network for future technologies was considered, which we think can wait until after the three year CPP period. See our Your Say, Your Network Consultation Document Improved future technology readiness, page 47.
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Customer service
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As an electricity customer your main point of contact is with your chosen energy retailer. On occasion you will need to deal with us directly for information about power cuts, to request a new connection, get safety advice, arrange for tree trimming away from power lines or when we need to access your property for maintenance. When you do, it’s important you get the information and service you expect and need.Our Your Say, Your Network Consultation Document sets out what our proposed plan delivers for customers around customer service.
What drives our spend
Respond to queries for new customer connections.
The work we will do
We connect customers seeking new connections or changes to their existing supply.
What you get as a customer
Current service levels for new connections are maintained.
Options for further investment
Additional targeted investment to further improve customer service, provided customers are willing to pay more. See our Your Say, Your Network Consultation Document Option B: Improved customer service, page 40.
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