In accordance with section 11 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010 (“Act”), the Electricity Authority gives the following notice.

Notice

1. Title and Commencement

(1) This notice is the Electricity Industry (Exemption No. 332 (The Power Company Limited)) Exemption Notice 2023.

(2) This notice comes into force on the day after the date it is notified in the New Zealand Gazette.

2. Exemption

(1) The Power Company Limited (“The Power Company”) is exempted from complying with the obligation in clause 10.30B(3)(b) of Part 10 of the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (“Code”), to electrically connect a NSP which is an interconnection point between two local networks without a received confirmation from a reconciliation participant that the metering installation at the NSP is certified and operational.

(2) This exemption applies only to the interconnection point between The Power Company’s local network (ELL0111 TPCO) and Electricity Invercargill Limited’s (“Electricity Invercargill”) local network (ELL0111 ELIN) (“the interconnection point”).

(3) This exemption applies only to ICP No. 0000800121TPF4A.

3. Conditions

(1) This exemption applies only if the following conditions are met:

1. the interconnection point is used only in the event of an emergency to provide a backup supply to Southland Hospital;
2. if the interconnection point is used in accordance with Condition 3(a), The Power Company must calculate consumption and submit it to the reconciliation manager using the half hourly metering data at Southland Hospital; and
3. The Power Company must confirm in writing to the Authority, within 12 months of this notice coming into force, that The Power Company:
1. has systems in place in respect of the interconnection point to ensure that The Power Company can comply with its reconciliation obligations under the Code; and
2. has tested those systems and they are fit for purpose.

4. Terms

(1) This exemption expires on the earlier of:

1. the close of 31 March 2033; or
2. when the meter used for consumption calculations at ICP No. 0000800121TPF4A loses its certification for any reason.

5. Reasons for Granting the Exemption

The reasons for granting this exemption are:

1. the exemption meets the tests in section 11(2) of the Act;
2. the exemption will assist The Power Company to ensure security of supply to patients and staff at Southland Hospital by enabling the interconnection point to be used to provide a backup supply to the Hospital during emergencies the exemption will have no effect on the Authority’s ability to promote competition or the efficient operation of the electricity industry for the long-term benefit of consumers;
3. the interconnection point has never been used before and the exemption is likely to apply only on rare occasions;
4. the exemption will have little to no impact on other participants and will not affect any other Code provisions.

Dated at Wellington this 19th day of June 2023.

For and on behalf of the Electricity Authority:
ALLAN DAWSON, Member, Electricity Authority.