1. Under section 38 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010 (“Act”), and having complied with section 39 of that Act, the Electricity Authority gives notice of making the Electricity Industry Participation Code (Export Limits) Amendment 2026 (“amendment”).
2. This amendment to the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 comes into force on 11 May 2026, except for clauses 15 to 20, which come into force on 1 December 2026, immediately after the Electricity Industry Participation Code (Network Connections) Amendment 2026 comes into force.
3. The amendment amends Parts 1 and 6 of the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (“Code”) to maximise the benefits from distributed generation by:
1. introducing a default static export limit of 10kW for applications under the Part 1A process in the Code for straightforward, small-scale DG connections up to 10kW, or offer a dynamic or flexible export limit (with a minimum 10kW limit when the export is not being controlled during congested periods), or apply lower static limits where justified, after a standardised network assessment;
2. introducing:
1. a standardised Export Limits Assessment Methodology for small scale DG where distributors propose limits below 10kW for individual installation control points (ICPs) or small groups of ICPs connected to the same section of low voltage line, or to assess alternative dynamic or flexible limits as noted above; and
2. a Bespoke Export Limits Assessment Methodology for larger scale DG greater than 10kW, under the Part 2 DG Code application process;
3. updating inverter standards and settings to require:
1. default adoption of ‘Australia A’ voltage response, frequency and protection settings in the inverter performance standard AS/NZS 4777.2:2020;
2. adherence to the inverter installation standard AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 for Part 1A DG applications; and
3. adherence to the inverter performance standard AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 (including amendments 1 and 2) for all low voltage DG applications;
4. making further consequential amendments to reflect these changes.
4. The amendment also adopts and amended version of material incorporated by reference under section 131B of the Electricity Industry Act 2010 by updating the references to the inverter performance standard AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 and inverter installation standard AS/NZS 4777.1:2016 recognised by Standards New Zealand to:
1. AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 incorporating Amendments No. 1 and 2
2. AS/NZS 4777.1:2024
5. A copy of these standards are available for inspection during normal office hours, free of charge, at the Electricity Authority, Level 7, Aon Centre, 1 Willis Street, Wellington. A copy of the standards may be purchased online from Standards New Zealand at www.standards.govt.nz.
6. The amendment also amends the Electricity Industry Participation Code Amendment (Application for Distributed Generation) 2021 to revoke clause 8 of that instrument, removing the automatic revocation of the amendments made in clauses 4, 5, 6(2) and 7(3) of that instrument.
7. The amendment is secondary legislation for the purpose of the Legislation Act 2019 and is administered by the Authority.
8. A copy of the amendment and the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (“Code”) is available on the Authority's website at: http://www.ea.govt.nz/code-and-compliance/the-code/.
9. A copy of the amendment and the Code may also be inspected free of charge or purchased from the Electricity Authority, Level 7, Aon Centre, 1 Willis Street, Wellington.

Dated at Wellington this 9th day of April 2026.

ERIK WESTERGAARD, Acting Chair, Electricity Authority.