ACT Energy Policy Proposes Private Investment and Choice to Lower Household Costs

A significant shake-up of New Zealand’s electricity networks is being proposed as part of the ACT Party’s 2026 election platform, with a focus on enhancing consumer choice and encouraging private investment. As reported by Waatea News on 20 September 2026, the policy aims to address rising power costs by opening up both generation and transmission networks to greater competition. Energy and Resources spokesperson Simon Court says the proposed changes would allow households equipped with solar panels or battery storage to sell their surplus power to a different company than the one providing their retail electricity. Currently, most consumers are tied to a single provider for both buying and selling. This move aligns with ongoing work by the Electricity Authority to develop a multiple-trading-relationships system, which regulators believe could improve financial returns for those utilizing rooftop solar technology. In addition to household-level changes, the policy seeks to enable private investors to build, own, and operate new transmission infrastructure connected to the national grid. Mr. Court argues that New Zealand’s high power prices are primarily a supply and investment issue. By allowing qualified providers to compete for connection work—such as for new subdivisions or renewable energy projects—the party claims the costs of infrastructure could be reduced. For many communities, the practical benefits of these reforms will be measured by their impact on the cost of living. The policy also calls for electricity lines companies to prioritize lower-cost technologies, such as demand-response systems and batteries, over expensive new line installations. As the Electricity Authority prepares to introduce new network connection rules this December, the focus remains on whether these market-driven shifts will ultimately deliver more affordable and reliable electricity for families across Aotearoa.