Unison and Counties Energy partner to standardise network services and enable a smoother customer energy transition

Unison Networks (Unison) and Counties Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop standardised network connection, asset management and flexibility orchestration capabilities for the benefit of consumers.

Together, the two electricity distributors bring complementary strengths to the partnership, Unison with deep experience in long‑term asset management including network planning, and Counties Energy with practical capability in low‑voltage visibility, flexibility orchestration and automated connection services. By combining these strengths, the partnership is well-positioned to accelerate the delivery of innovative solutions for customers.

The MoU places customers at the centre, aiming to make it easier to connect to the network, support the energy transition, and deliver cost-effective and reliable services across Aotearoa New Zealand. It brings together the strengths of both distributors to accelerate innovation and deliver benefits for customers across three key areas.

1 Driving efficiency through smart collaboration

The companies will work together to modernise how customers interact with the low voltage (LV) network. This includes developing standardised hosting capacity maps for load and generation, modernising low voltage network architecture including enhanced monitoring and control, and sharing insights from Counties Energy’s Franklin Energy Sharing Pilot.

The partnership will also adopt a shared approach to flexible connections using Counties Energy’s GridEx flexibility dispatch platform, enabling dynamic export limits and smarter inverter control using dynamic operating envelopes and CSIP AUS IEEE 2030.5. Together, these initiatives will give customers, developers and installers clearer and more consistent information when planning technologies such as solar, EV chargers and batteries.

2 Automating connection assessments

Unison and Counties Energy will develop automated tools to identify network capacity and security constraints, streamlining connection assessments and reducing manual processing. This will provide more transparent and consistent outcomes for customers as electrification continues to grow.

3 Strengthening shared asset management approaches

The partnership will also focus on strengthening shared asset management practices to support long-term network resilience and affordability. This includes aligning approaches, including ISO 55000-aligned processes, to asset health forecasting, network risk management, failure mode analysis and investment planning.

Counties Energy Chief Network and Digital Officer Moonis Vegdani says the collaboration reflects a broader shift toward standardisation across the electricity sector.

“This collaboration is a great reflection of how industry relationships can support better outcomes for customers as the energy system transforms,” says Vegdani. “Unison brings strong experience in asset management and long-term network planning, while Counties Energy has been building practical distribution system operator capability, including low voltage visibility, flexibility orchestration and automated connection services. By sharing these strengths and learning from each other, we can deliver smarter, safer and more cost-efficient electricity solutions that support decarbonisation and put customers at the centre as we transition to a more flexible energy future.”

Unison GM Networks and Operations Gagan Chadha says the partnership will help accelerate the adoption of proven approaches across both networks.

“By leveraging our combined strengths, we can accelerate the pace at which proven approaches are adopted across both networks, delivering more consistent outcomes for customers as the energy system evolves. We’re excited to see this partnership translate into real benefits for our customers and communities.”

Through this Memorandum of Understanding, Unison and Counties Energy are demonstrating how effective collaboration can support the energy transition and strengthen outcomes for consumers and local communities, while building a more flexible electricity system for the future.