Generation

About generation

Generation equipment sometimes referred to as distributed generators or embedded generators, can be installed to produce electricity for use at home or by a business. They may also be capable of putting surplus energy back into Orion's distribution network. These generators can take several forms:

• solar
• wind or micro-hydro turbines
• diesel
• vehicle to grid
• other generation

You will need to apply for approval when installing generation equipment, this allows us to ensure it’s safely connected to our network.

Changes to the application process

To meet new requirements to integrate with The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko registry we have made a number of changes to our online application for generation.

Find out why we are making these changes and what the changes are in more detail.

Connecting to our network

To connect to the Orion network you will need a licenced electrician to complete wiring and electrical documentation. We encourage you to work through your application with your licenced electrician/installer or get them to apply on your behalf, as they can provide the necessary technical information.

• A licensed inspector must complete a record of inspection (ROI). 
• If an inverter is required for your installation, it must be an approved inverter. An inverter is an electrical device that transfers energy from your generator. The inverter has built-in electrical protection systems that keep you and electrical workers safe. 
• Information on the size of your energy system. This allows us to manage network congestion of surplus energy.
• Generation must not be connected to our network without our express written approval.
• If you are unsure if you need approval please get in touch for assistance.

The Electricity Authority has information(external link) on the rights and responsibilities of a person or organisation wanting to connect a distributed generation system to an electricity network and the network provider.

Generation under 15kW

Usually distributed generation under 15kW is residential based and installed at homes or small businesses. Inverter based systems are the most common installation on our network.

Apply and connect in 4 steps

We encourage you to work through your application with your licenced electrician/installer or get them to apply on your behalf, as they can provide the necessary technical information.

Step 1 - select your system

Step 2 - contact your electricity retailer

Step 3 - apply online and pay application fee (fees available from our Orion associated charges schedule)

Step 4 - once approved by Orion - connect your generation

Get detailed guidelines for under 15kW generation application and connection.

Generation over 15kW under 100kW

Generation systems between 15 kW and 100 kW are usually found on larger homes or small businesses. While they’re great for producing and potentially exporting electricity to the grid, they can also affect the local power network. In particular, they might impact the quality of electricity for nearby customers, so it’s important to make sure they are set up correctly.

Apply and connect in 4 steps

We encourage you to work through your application with your licenced electrician/installer or get them to apply on your behalf, as they can provide the necessary technical information.

Step 1 - select your system

Step 2 - contact your electricity retailer

Step 3 - apply online and pay application fee (fees available from our Orion associated charges schedule)

Step 4 - once approved by Orion - connect your generation

Get detailed guidelines for over 15kW under 100kW generation application and connection.

Generation over 100kW under 1MW

Generation systems that export between 100 kW and 1 MW of electricity are often used by medium to large industrial businesses. Because of their size, they can have noticeable effects on the wider electricity network and the surrounding community.

To make sure everything runs smoothly for everyone, it’s important that these systems are set up and operated in a way that doesn’t negatively impact other nearby connections. We’re here to help ensure your system works well within the network and support a reliable power supply for our community.

Apply and connect in 4 steps

We encourage you to work through your application with your licenced electrician/installer or get them to apply on your behalf, as they can provide the necessary technical information.

Step 1 - select your system

Step 2 - contact your electricity retailer

Step 3 - apply online and pay application fee (fees available from our Orion associated charges schedule) 

Step 4 - once approved by Orion - connect your generation

Get detailed guidelines for over 100kW under 1MW generation application and connection.

Generation over 1MW enquiry

If you're planning a generation system that can export more than 1 MW of electricity, it could have a big impact, not just on our local network, but possibly on the national grid too. That’s why we need to hear from you early in the planning process.

By getting in touch with us early on, we can better understand your plans and work with you to find the most efficient and effective way to connect your system to our network.

Get detailed guidelines for over 1MW generation application and connection.

Change your generation connection

Sometimes you might need to make changes to distributed generation connection.  These updates to you generation system might be needed to :

• Update the technology
• Increase capacity
• Switch fuel types
• Adjust to shifts in electricity demand

These updates can affect how much electricity you send back to the grid, influence voltage levels, and impact overall power quality. That’s why it’s important to make sure your connection is properly adjusted and to notify us about changes

Compliant inverters

Please check this pre-approved list of compliant inverters to see if your chosen inverter is included. If your inverter is not on this list, you will need to supply a copy of the specifications and a current certificate of suitability to AS/NZS 4777.2 with your application. 

Compliant inverters (AS 4777.2.2020) [PDF, 344 KB]