ACT Party proposes electricity market reforms and private investment

The ACT Party has announced its energy policy for the 2026 election, proposing to increase competition and private investment within New Zealand’s electricity sector. Energy spokesperson Simon Court stated the party intends to keep ‘gentailers’ intact, opposing previous suggestions to break up major power companies, arguing that restructuring would damage investment confidence.

Key proposals include allowing households with solar panels or batteries to sell surplus power to different companies than their electricity retailer. The policy also seeks to permit private investors to build, own, and operate new transmission infrastructure connected to the national grid, provided they meet technical and reliability standards.

Additionally, ACT aims to allow qualified providers to compete for customer-funded connection work for new developments and renewable projects. The party also suggests that lines companies should prioritize cheaper solutions, such as batteries or demand-response technology, to address network constraints before charging consumers for expensive new lines. The Commerce Commission would be empowered to oversee transmission under these proposed changes.