Our Services

New Connections

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 where the new load is significant compared to the capacity of the existing lines, then installing a new connection is more complex and your electrician will need to discuss your plans with us well ahead of time.
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.

Alternatively, you can view the full Buller Electricity ‘Network Connection Standard’ (PDF) for full details.

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.

 

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.

     

    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 you are connecting generation (such as solar):

    • Charges will reflect only the incremental cost of connecting your system.
    • We will assess your application and provide a connection offer where required.

    For the