Regulators Consider Non-Network Solutions Feedback From Distributors

Home News and events News and updates Responses to open letter on non-network solutions

Responses to open letter on non-network solutions

The Commerce Commission, Electricity Authority and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) are now considering feedback received from electricity distributors on how they could support efficient non‑network solutions.

Published 23 April 2026

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T he feedback will inform the development and refinement of our respective and complementary work programmes.

In an open letter openinnew in February 2026 the Regulators outlined how non-network solutions – such as flexing electricity use and generation on networks, energy efficiency, distributed generation and storage – c ould support growing demand on networks at a lower cost compared to the traditional approach of extending the network.

Regulators recognise d that non ‑ network solutions are not always the best or most efficient option. However, they want distributors to consider them as potential alternatives, and in the letter sets out three broad actions distributors are expected to take.

Most submitters strongly agreed that non-network solutions can play an important role in keeping systems costs down as the country continues to electrify.

However, there were different views on how quickly non-network solutions could be relied on, through what mechanisms this could be achieved, and what safeguards are needed to ensure reliability.

Submitters also suggested areas where each of the three regulators could support uptake of non-network solutions.

A summary of submissions openinnew provides a detailed overview of the feedback r eceived.

The regulators will now consider next steps to enable more non-network solutions where they support an efficient, reliable and lower-cost network for consumers.

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