Meter decommission

Need to permanently remove your electricity supply? Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

Submit a decommission request

Ready to submit your request?

Fill out the form below

What's a decommission?

A decommission permanently removes an electricity supply. This includes disconnecting the supply lines, removing the meter, and updating the site status so it cannot be reconnected.

Note: This is a permanent action. If power may be needed again in the future, speak with your electrician before proceeding.

Is this the right job for you?

You should raise a decommission request if:

  • You are demolishing the building
  • You no longer need electricity at the site
  • You want the meter and supply lines removed and the site marked as inactive in the national registry
  • You need to remove a builder's temporary supply (BTS) that has been replaced with another permanent supply

Note: If your supply is unmetered and no longer required, you must raise a decommission. This needs to be raised directly through your network (unless in Orion, in which case we can raise (our fees will apply), though you can also raise directly with them).

What’s involved?

Once you submit your request:

  • We’ll check we have everything needed to raise the job
  • If all is good, we’ll send it to one of our metering contractors and your network
  • A network contractor will visit your site to disconnect the supply, and where requested, remove the supply lines. They will arrange an appointment with you first
  • Our metering contractor will visit your site to remove the metering and take final readings. They will arrange an appointment with you first
  • The site is tagged as isolated and decommissioned, and you can begin your works
  • Final readings will be loaded in our system, and the national registry will be updated to reflect the decommissioned status of the site

Note: This is a permanent action. If power might be needed again in future, chat with your electrician about the best option.

Important:

  • A lost asset fee may apply if the meter isn’t returned (e.g., if it’s removed by someone other than our authorised contractor)
  • You will continue to be charged if the site is still recognised as active, even if it is not
  • Don’t start any works, such as demolition, until the site is safely tagged as decommissioned
  • Any medically dependent person(s) will need to ensure they have made alternate arrangements for their ongoing health and wellbeing

What we need from you

  • Authorisation from the property owner (we’ll verify this)
  • Whether the connection is overhead or underground
  • Whether the supply lines need to be removed
  • Your contact details
  • A site contact's details
  • Business name and a business contact person
  • Site access requirements, restrictions, or hazards

Note: Meridian must be the current retailer listed in the electricity registry before we can raise this job. If the job is urgent, you may wish to proceed with the current retailer as it can take up to 10 business days to fully switch in to Meridian. 

You can find out who the current retailer is here. 

Network requirements

Use the Electricity Authority tool to find your Network. 

To see a list of all networks, click here. 

The following networks have specific requirements, fees, or additional options.

Please be aware that some networks may invoice you directly for any work they carry out. These networks and additional charges may not be listed here, so we recommend requesting a quote from the network if you are unsure. 

Network

Process for Raising a Job
CKHK - Wellington Electricity Lines Limited

This network has a specific charge in addition to our decommissioning fee. This charge will be invoiced to you by Meridian and is outlined on our fees page. 
COUP – Counties Power

Meridian can initiate the job for you, or you have the option to request a decommission directly through the network. 

If you initiate through the network, they will charge you directly. If Meridian are required to remove the meter, our fees may still apply. 
EASH – Electricity Ashburton

Meridian can initiate the job for you, or you have the option to request a decommission directly through the network. 

If you initiate through the network, they will charge you directly. If Meridian are required to remove the meter, our fees may still apply. 
ELIN - Electricity Invercargill Limited

Meridian can initiate the job for you, or you have the option to request a decommission directly through the network. 

If you initiate through the network, they will charge you directly. If Meridian are required to remove the meter, our fees may still apply.

Managed by PowerNet. Please contact PowerNet if going direct.
OTPO - OtagoNet

Meridian can initiate the job for you, or you have the option to request a decommission directly through the network. 

If you initiate through the network, they will charge you directly. If Meridian are required to remove the meter, our fees may still apply.

Managed by PowerNet. Please contact PowerNet if going direct.
Embedded Networks

Contact the network directly.

You’ll need an approval number from them before Meridian can raise the job.
TASM – Network Tasman

Submit a Network Connection Application (NCA) form via their website.

Provide the approval document from Network Tasman with your request.
NELS - Nelson Electricity

Submit a Network Connection Application (NCA) form via their website.

Provide the approval document from Nelson Electricity with your request.
NPOW - Northpower Limited

Submit your request through Northpower's website.

They will let us know when we can collect the metering. We will charge for this - see fees.
POCO – Powerco Limited Provide your 6 digit Salesforce case number obtained from Powerco directly.
LINE – The Lines Company Contact The Lines Company directly. They’ll manage the process all the way through.
MARL – Marlborough Lines

Meridian can initiate the job for you, or you have the option to request a decommission directly through the network. 

If you initiate through the network, they will charge you directly. If Meridian are required to remove the meter, our fees may still apply. 

Note that it may cost less if you raise the job through Meridian. You will need to discuss the cost of going direct through the network with the network.
TOPE – Top Energy Limited

Turnaround time of up to 25 business days. 

No approval needed if Top Energy owns the lines.

If you own private lines (e.g., you own the line poles going across your property), complete their Application for Network Connection form. Please allow an additional 15 business days as Top Energy will need to quote this directly. 
TPCO - The Power Company

Meridian can initiate the job for you, or you have the option to request a decommission directly through the network. 

If you initiate through the network, they will charge you directly. If Meridian are required to remove the meter, our fees may still apply.

Managed by PowerNet. Please contact PowerNet if going direct.
VECT – Vector Limited

Meridian can only raise the job after Vector notifies us or you provide a Service Request (SR) number.

Get this by filling out the Vector Permanent Disconnection form.

Vector charge a fee on top of that charged by Meridian, and will invoice you for their fee directly. Their fee is outlined on their website.
WATA – Network Waitaki

Meridian can initiate the job for you, or you have the option to request a decommission directly through the network. 

If you initiate through the network, they will charge you directly. If Meridian are required to remove the meter, our fees may still apply. 
Other networks

Nothing further required, go ahead and raise your job below. 

Timeframes and fees

  • Standard turnaround: within 10 business days
  • Top Energy: within 25 business days
  • Fees: see our fees page

Note: The fees above are those charged by Meridian. Additional charges may apply from your network provider or other contractors - they will discuss these with you directly.

Ready to submit your decommission request?

Fill out the form below to request a decommission. We’ll take care of the rest and will let you know when the job has been raised in our system. 

Please note that your job is not officially raised until you have email confirmation from us. The timeframes outlined above are from the date we raise the job at our end. If we need anything further to support your job request, we will be in touch.

Please only fill out this form if you are currently with Meridian and one of the following:

  • Limited Liability Company
  • Trust, Society, or Club
  • Partnership
  • Body Corporate
  • Government Entity
  • Sole Trader

If you are a residential customer with an account in your personal name, please contact our residential support hub to raise this job.