Latest news with #ElectricityIndustryAct2010
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Electricity Authority Investigates Business Claims About Energy Markets
The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko is using its powers to investigate concerns about pricing, contract availability, and business conduct in both the electricity and gas markets. These concerns were raised with the Authority by the Northern Infrastructure Forum and other organisations. "We take all concerns raised seriously, and any concerns related to consumer trust or market fairness demand attention," says Electricity Authority Chair Anna Kominik. After initial checks, the Authority believes the issue needs a closer look. The Authority has broad powers under the Electricity Industry Act 2010 to investigate and hold market participants accountable. "We have started a review under section 16 of the Act focused on business consumers' access to electricity contracts, including commercial and industrial consumers. Section 16 enables us to use formal information gathering powers to look more closely into pricing and other key terms offered to business consumers to assess if there is a deeper issue," said Kominik. The Authority is working closely with the Commerce Commission, which has launched a new whistleblowing tool to make reporting easier. The scope and timeframe of the review will be refined once more discussions have been carried out with those voicing concerns. Notes: The Electricity Authority is an independent Crown Entity with the main statutory objective to promote competition in, reliable supply by, and the efficient operation of, the electricity industry for the long-term benefit of consumers. The additional objective of the Authority is to protect the interests of domestic consumers and small business consumers in relation to the supply of electricity to those consumers. The Authority has the power under the Act to initiate and undertake a review exercising its function under section 16(1)(g) to undertake industry and market monitoring, and carry out and make publicly available reviews, studies and inquiries into any matter relating to the electricity industry.
Scoop
05-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Electricity Authority Lodges Formal Complaint Against Transpower
Press Release – Electricity Authority The complaint alleges Transpower failed to adhere to good electricity industry practice in connection with the maintenance of an interconnection asset, namely the transmission tower at Glorit, Northland when it collapsed on 20 June 2024. The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (the Authority) has lodged a formal complaint with the Rulings Panel alleging a breach of the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 by Transpower relating to the collapse of a Northland transmission tower last year. The complaint alleges Transpower failed to adhere to good electricity industry practice in connection with the maintenance of an interconnection asset, namely the transmission tower at Glorit, Northland when it collapsed on 20 June 2024. The compliance investigation and decision to lay a complaint are separate from the Authority's section 18 report into the event requested by the Minister for Energy that was released in September 2024. The collapse of the tower cut power to 88,000 customers and had a significant economic impact on the region. The Authority decided to lodge the complaint because the alleged breach was significant in its duration, severity and impact; it involved a critical asset and undermined security of supply; the Rulings Panel's assessment will help provide clarity on what good electricity industry practice requires of asset owners and the Authority aims to prevent similar incidents happening in the future. The Rulings Panel is an independent body that determines breaches of the Code and may make appropriate remedial orders under section 54 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010. If the Rulings Panel upholds a complaint, it has the power to make remedial orders against industry participants. Remedial orders include pecuniary penalties, compliance orders, compensation orders, and private and public warnings or reprimands. Under the Electricity Industry (Enforcement) Regulations 2010, the total liability for a breach of clause 12.113 of the Code by Transpower for breaches under Part 12 of the Code (including both pecuniary penalties and compensation orders) is limited to $2 million. Full details of the complaint are detailed in this notice: The alleged breach is of clause 12.113 of the Code – Transpower's failure to adhere to good electricity industry practice in connection with the maintenance of an interconnection asset.
Scoop
05-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Electricity Authority Lodges Formal Complaint Against Transpower
The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (the Authority) has lodged a formal complaint with the Rulings Panel alleging a breach of the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 by Transpower relating to the collapse of a Northland transmission tower last year. The complaint alleges Transpower failed to adhere to good electricity industry practice in connection with the maintenance of an interconnection asset, namely the transmission tower at Glorit, Northland when it collapsed on 20 June 2024. The compliance investigation and decision to lay a complaint are separate from the Authority's section 18 report into the event requested by the Minister for Energy that was released in September 2024. The collapse of the tower cut power to 88,000 customers and had a significant economic impact on the region. The Authority decided to lodge the complaint because the alleged breach was significant in its duration, severity and impact; it involved a critical asset and undermined security of supply; the Rulings Panel's assessment will help provide clarity on what good electricity industry practice requires of asset owners and the Authority aims to prevent similar incidents happening in the future. The Rulings Panel is an independent body that determines breaches of the Code and may make appropriate remedial orders under section 54 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010. If the Rulings Panel upholds a complaint, it has the power to make remedial orders against industry participants. Remedial orders include pecuniary penalties, compliance orders, compensation orders, and private and public warnings or reprimands. Under the Electricity Industry (Enforcement) Regulations 2010, the total liability for a breach of clause 12.113 of the Code by Transpower for breaches under Part 12 of the Code (including both pecuniary penalties and compensation orders) is limited to $2 million. Full details of the complaint are detailed in this notice: The alleged breach is of clause 12.113 of the Code - Transpower's failure to adhere to good electricity industry practice in connection with the maintenance of an interconnection asset.
