Proceedings filed against NZ electricity co

New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has filed civil proceedings in the Auckland High Court against electricity lines company Vector Limited for failing to meet minimum reliability requirements for four consecutive years, leading to excessive electricity outages. Vector supplies electricity to more than half a million homes and businesses in the greater Auckland region.

The Commission is seeking financial penalties from Vector for failing to meet its network quality standards. These standards required Vector to stay within an annual reliability limit in two out of every three years.

As a regulated business, Vector must comply with the Commerce Commission’s regulations regarding its revenue and service standards. Service quality is measured by the average duration and frequency of electricity outages. The average frequency and duration of outages is reported annually, with results assessed against annual reliability limits.

Vector has cooperated with the Commission’s investigation and confirmed it will not challenge the proceedings.

Until court proceedings are completed, the Commission is unable to make further comment.

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