New connections
If you are building a new home or establishing a new business your electrician will normally arrange the new electricity connection or a temporary power supply during construction.
Connecting to our network
If you are building a new residence or commercial premises and there are already low voltage lines or cable running past the boundary, a new connection will generally be straightforward. Your electrician will be able to arrange the connection with us. All you need to do is let them know who your preferred electricity retailer is (note that not all retailers currently offer new connections on our network).
In other situations, where there are no existing low voltage lines nearby, the location is rural, or the proposed load is significant compared with the capacity of the existing network, the connection may require additional assessment or design. For larger or more complex connections, we encourage you to contact Buller Electricity's Lines Designer as early as possible to discuss your plans before submitting an application.
Only Buller Electricity lines contracting staff are able to make new connections to our distribution network i.e. no other contractors are currently approved to do this work.
For a quick overview of how to connect, please refer to our BEL Connections Journey.
Apply for a new connection
To apply for a new connection, alteration to an existing connection or temporary supply, please complete and return a Connection Application.
Buller Electricity Connection Application (PDF)
Temporary supply
Temporary connections give builders and other tradespeople access to electricity at a building site where there is no existing connection to our network. Buller Electricity treats a temporary builder's connection in the same way that we treat any other new connection. In most cases, your electrician will install the temporary supply box on the section and arrange for Buller Electricity to connect it to the network.
In many cases, the temporary supply box is positioned close to the final location of the meter box on the house. This means that the cable that connects the temporary supply to the Buller Electricity network can also be used to connect the finished house to the network. This saves the amount of attention required when the house is completed and the temporary supply box is no longer required.
Pre-application enquiries
If you are considering a larger or more complex connection, we encourage you to contact Buller Electricity early to discuss your requirements before submitting a formal application.
We can provide initial guidance on network capacity, the connection process, likely timeframes and connection requirements. Early discussions may also help identify alternative connection options where appropriate.
To help us understand your proposal, please provide the proposed location, type of connection and your expected maximum electricity demand or generation capacity.
Contact our Lines Designer at 03 788 8171 to discuss your proposed connection.
Information provided at the pre-application stage is preliminary and may change following detailed network assessment.
Connection charges
When you connect to the Buller Electricity Limited (BEL) Network, you may need to pay a connection charge.
This charge reflects the cost of:
Extending the network to your site.
Providing sufficient capacity for your connection.
Installing any assets required specifically for your connection.
Our approach is designed to ensure that:
Customers pay for the costs they create.
Costs are shared fairly where assets are used by multiple customers.
Pricing is consistent and transparent.
For more detailed information on how connection charges are determined, please refer to our Connection Pricing Methodology.
Types of connection charges
Standard connections
All connections are quoted on an individual basis.
Non-standard connections
All connections are quoted on an individual basis.
What costs are included
Your connection charge may include the following components:
1) Customer-dedicated assets
These are assets installed specifically for your connection, such as:
- Service lines
- Dedicated transformers
You are responsible for the full cost of these assets.
2) Shared network costs
Where your connection uses or requires capacity in the wider network, you may contribute to:
- Lines and cables
- Transformers
- Substations
These costs are shared between customers based on usage.
3) Network extensions and pioneer schemes
In some cases, your connection may require a network extension that could also be used by future customers. Where this occurs:
- You may initially fund the cost of the extension
- If other customers connect to the same assets in the future, they may contribute
- These contributions are used to reimburse you over time
4) Pioneer schemes
- Apply only in specific situations
- Apply for a period of 7 years from the initial connection
- Are explained clearly in your connection offer where relevant
How charges are calculated
Connection charges are based on:
- The assets required to connect you to the network.
- Your share of any required network capacity.
For larger or more complex connections, we may also consider:
- The expected future use of the network and associated revenue.
We will explain how your connection charge has been calculated as part of your connection offer.
Connection offers
Before any work begins, we will provide you with a connection offer (quote) that sets out:
- The scope of work.
- The connection charge.
- Any assumptions or conditions.
- Any applicable Pioneer Scheme arrangements.
You will need to accept this offer before work proceeds. A written reconciliation of your connection charge is available from Buller Electricity on request.
Payment
In most cases:
- A deposit is required before work begins.
- Full payment must be made before your connection is livened (energised).
For larger connections, staged payments may be agreed.
Distributed generation (e.g. solar)
If your connection includes distributed generation such as solar or battery storage, please see our Distributed Generation information and application requirements.
Easements
An easement may be required where Buller Electricity-owned network equipment is installed on private property. An easement provides Buller Electricity with the necessary rights to access, operate and maintain this equipment. If an easement is required for your connection, we will discuss this with you as part of the connection process.
Additional resources
Please refer to the ENA's Glossary for further information on terms and acronyms.