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The Electricity Authority wants to reshape market rules to make it easier for businesses and consumers to connect to the distribution network.
"The current rules have not kept pace with the number, size and complexity of connection applications, and change is needed to assist access seekers to connect," Electricity Authority network pricing director Tim Sparks said.
He said the aim was to give manufacturers, data centres, new housing developments, EV charging stations and others a more efficient way to connect.
The Authority also wanted to see consistent sector pricing and processes to make it easier for businesses operating across multiple regions.
"At the moment, electricity distribution companies can also develop their own rules around how to charge businesses and investors wanting to connect," Sparks said.
"This means there's a wide range of practices happening across New Zealand, and in some cases, quite high up-front costs."
He said the rule changes would enable more efficient investments, which in turn would lead to lower overall costs and benefit consumers over time.
The Authority would be consulting with interested parties about how to promote more efficient investment in infrastructure over the next eight weeks, with plans to put new standards in place by the middle of next year.
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