Unison Invites Feedback on 10-Year Plan for Powering Thriving Regions

Unison Networks (Unison) is inviting feedback on its latest 10-year Regulatory Asset Management Plan which outlines its strategic approach to building a stronger and more resilient electricity network across Hawke’s Bay, Taupō and Rotorua.

Unison’s 10-year asset management plan guides the design, construction, and maintenance of its networks, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of regional customers, communities, and businesses.

With growing electricity demand, advancements in technology, and the increasing impact of extreme weather events, the plan reflects Unison’s commitment to investing wisely, and at the right time, to ensure a reliable, sustainable, and future-ready network for its regions. In addition to continuing to invest to ensure we can reliably supply customers, connect new customers' new loads and distributed energy resources; we are also evaluating non-traditional solutions. These solutions can more efficiently address network constraints. As part of this, we are inviting proposals from third parties that can provide these solutions including flexibility service providers.

“Unison's Asset Management Plan outlines our response to the challenges faced by our regions and industry. It details our approach to effective asset management while maintaining a strong and reliable network.” The plan also explains how we can continue to support the transition to cleaner energy through traditional and non-traditional solutions.”

"The plan underscores Unison’s commitment to sustaining a strong customer focus, ensuring that investment in network maintenance and growth provide tangible benefits for households and businesses, such as enhanced reliability, connection of new distributed energy resources like batteries, solar and EVs, while balancing affordability."

"We are seeking feedback from our customers and communities to refine our plan and better align it with the immediate and long-term aspirations of our regions," stated Gagan Chadha, General Manager Networks & Operations.

With regional development, electrification, and decarbonisation efforts accelerating, Unison is investing strategically to support economic growth and a low-carbon future.

Visit www.unison.co.nz/ramp to explore the 10-year plan and provide feedback.

In May, Unison will also host community meetings to present the plan and provide an opportunity to connect, ask questions, and discuss the future of electricity distribution in Rotorua, Taupō, and Hawke’s Bay.

Community meeting locations:

• Rotorua: Wednesday 7 May, 5:30 – 6:30pm – Rydges Hotel
• Taupō: Thursday 8 May, 5:30 – 6:30pm – Great Lake Centre
• Hastings: Monday 12 May, 5:30 – 6:30pm – Te Rae, 101 Queen Street East