Flexible Connections
Our electricity network is evolving to support more solar, batteries, electric vehicles and other flexible loads. To help large‑scale commercial, industrial and subdivision development customers make the most of our existing network, we offer Flexible Connections — a smarter, efficient way to connect and manage electricity use.
Download our Flexible Connections Guide
What is a Flexible Connection?
A Flexible Connection lets your site connect to our electricity network in a way that automatically adjusts to real time conditions on the Counties Energy network. This approach helps make better use of existing network capacity without needing costly or time-consuming infrastructure upgrades.
With a flexible connection, customers adjust how much power their site imports or exports based on capacity signals from the Counties Energy’s Distributed System Operator (DSO) platforms.
Here’s how a flexible connection works:
- A site includes two components: firm capacity and flexible capacity.
- The firm capacity supports your essential electricity needs and is always available.
- The flexible capacity is available more than 90% of the time but may be reduced during certain network conditions. These conditions are agreed at the time of application.
We recommend starting with a high-level assessment to understand what option works best for your site.
If your site requires a constant, guaranteed power supply, a Flexible Connection may not be suitable.
When applying for a flexible connection, we can offer two options to meet your requirements: a high-level assessment or a detailed design.
High‑Level Assessment
A high‑level assessment helps determine whether a Flexible Connection is suitable for your site.
Click here to complete the high‑level assessment form.
- Once we receive your application, our Connections team will carry out the high‑level assessment to check whether a Flexible Connection is the right fit for your site. If we need any extra technical details to complete this review, we’ll get in touch. This assessment is provided at no charge, and we’ll also give you an estimated quote, so you know what to expect.
- If your application is approved, you can move forward with the Flexible Connection pathway, and an application fee will apply for a detailed design.
Note: If a Flexible Connection isn’t the right option, we’ll pass your application on to our New Connections team, who will get in touch with the next steps.
Detailed Design Application
For customers who already know a Flexible Connection is the right fit, you can now apply for a detailed design.
Click here to complete the detailed design form.
After receiving your application payment instructions will be communicated. A non-refundable design fee of $6,000.00 excl. GST for a flexible connection detailed design and $6,000.00 excl. GST for a standard new connection detailed engineering design is required to proceed to the detailed design stage.
- Upon receipt of your payment, Counties Energy will complete a detailed engineering design, which includes:
- Full modelling of the site
- Determination of the expected Dynamic Operating Envelopes (DOEs)
- Preparation of a formal quotation for the required works
- Upon completion of the full-detail design, a formal quotation and connection documentation will be issued.
- You will have 30 business days to review and accept the quotation. Minor changes may be accommodated provided further modelling is not required. If no response is received within this period, the application will lapse and a new application will be required.
- The expected timeframe for completion of the detailed design and quotation will depend on the complexity of the project and the quality of information provided. The anticipated minimum timeframe will be advised once the application has been reviewed.
Next Steps After Your Detailed Design
Once your detailed design and payment are completed, Counties Energy will estimate the work needed to set up your Flexible Connection. This includes systems integration and final configuration. You may also need to complete some software integration on your side, and we’ll let you know what’s required.
Customers are responsible for installing their Distributed Energy Resources (DER) equipment through their chosen electrician, in accordance with New Zealand electricity regulations. Counties Energy will complete any required network upgrades, such as fuse upgrades, installation of Power Quality Monitoring (PQM) equipment, if needed. Once the installation is complete and the required DG1 or DG2 forms have been submitted, Counties Energy will coordinate the testing, registration and full commissioning of your equipment so it’s ready to operate safely on our network.
The Benefits of Flexible Connections
As New Zealand moves toward a low‑carbon, smarter energy future, more businesses are adopting solar systems, batteries, Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers and other smart technologies. Flexible Connections help us use our existing network more efficiently to support this growth, and they also ensure that:
- Existing network capacity is used first before investing in new, under‑utilised assets.
- Customers can connect to the network sooner without major reinforcement.
- More customers can adopt technologies such as batteries, EV chargers and solar panels.
Choosing a Flexible Connection
Before applying, it’s important to understand your options and how they may affect your site now and in the future.
- You can choose firm capacity only, or a mix of firm and flexible capacity.
- In some cases, additional network upgrades are needed to maintain firm capacity, which may affect cost and timing.
- You may choose a flexible export connection (for solar or batteries) while retaining a firm import connection for essential load.
More information is available in our Connection Policy and Technical Standards.
Check out the glossary here to better understand the terms related to connections and pricing.
If you want to understand whether a Flexible Connection is right for your site, our team is here to help. We’ll guide you through the benefits and technical requirements and answer any questions you have about equipment, site needs or energy costs.