We’re investing for tomorrow, today
To continue providing the safe, reliable and resilient service you depend on, we must invest more in our network.
Much of our network was built in the 1960s and 1970s, and assets like poles now require renewal. We also need to expand network capacity to accommodate population growth, strengthen resilience, prepare for new technologies, and drive efficiencies.
What we do now will create a positive future for generations to come.
What is a customised price-quality path?
The Commerce Commission regulates the revenue we can earn from lines charges through a default price-quality path.
We currently face a unique set of challenges and opportunities, and if we stay on the default path, we won’t recover enough revenue to make the investments needed to avoid deteriorating network performance and higher costs in the future.
Alternatively, a customised price-quality path allows electricity distributors, like Orion, to apply to the Commerce Commission for different revenue limits to meet the specific needs of their customers and network.
We’re planning to apply for a customised path for the five-year period from 01 April 2027, which covers the 2028 to 2032 financial years.
What this means for customers
The benefits you can expect from increased investment include sustained levels of safety and reliability, a reduction in the risk of unplanned outages, and increased network capacity to support future growth. Additionally, resilience will improve, and we will support the decarbonisation of our region.
While a customised price-quality path would mean an increase in distribution lines charges in coming years, we’re confident it is our customers’ best long-term interests as it will help prevent even higher costs in the future from deferred investment.
Help shape the future of your local electricity network
We are committed to working closely with you – our customers, stakeholders and community – to ensure our planning aligns with your needs and priorities.
There will are opportunities to have your say in 2025 as we develop our customised price-quality path proposal, and in 2026 when we submit our proposal to the Commerce Commission.
Have your say
We’re keen to get your feedback on our proposed investment approach which is included in our 2025 Asset Management Plan Update.
Visit our Have Your Say(external link) website to learn more and complete a short questionnaire – you have until 30 May 2025.