Capacity change

Thinking about increasing or decreasing your site's capacity? Here's what you need to know to get started.

What's a capacity change?

A capacity change may be needed when your site needs to safely draw more or less electricity than it currently can. This helps support new electrical equipment or fix issues caused by overloading your current supply.

Is it the right job for you?

You might need a capacity change if:

  • Higher power draw appliances like EV chargers, spa pools, or factory equipment are being installed
  • Renovations or extensions are planned for your property
  • The way the site is used is changing - for example, from residential to commercial
  • You’re experiencing frequent power trips or outages due to high electricity use
  • The meter needs to be moved from a permanent fixture (like a shed) to a temporary one (like a pole)

Do you need CTs (Current Transformers)?

If your supply is 101 amps (A) or more, you’ll need Category 2 (CAT2) metering, which uses CTs. These safely reduce high current so the meter can measure it accurately.

Meridian supplies CTs with a 5/500 ratio - for every 5 kWh shown on the meter, 500 kWh have actually passed through the CTs and been used.

If your site already has CTs, your electrician or switchboard manufacturer will need to confirm if new ones are required.

If new CTs are needed, we’ll ask for:

  • CT bore size
  • CT Mounting type (base or bar mounted)
  • Switchboard manufacturer details
  • Delivery address for the CTs

Note: The delivery address for the CTs must be able to receive courier post. This means PO Boxes cannot be used.

What we need from you

Before we can start a capacity change, please make sure you’ve checked the following and have these details ready:

  • Confirmation from your network and electrician that the capacity change can go ahead if required - see network requirements below
  • The current and newly requested capacity, including amps and number of phases
  • Main switch size - what your switchboard is rated to handle post change (in amps)
  • Connection type - is it overhead or underground?
  • CT requirements if the new capacity is 101A or more
  • Certificate of Compliance (COC) if any wiring changes have been made (needs to be made available to our contractor)
  • Contact details for your electrician
  • Contact details for someone on-site

Network requirements

Use the Electricity Authority tool to find your Network.

To see a list of all networks, click here. 

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

Network

What you need to do
Embedded Networks Discuss capacity requirements with the embedded network administrator, building owner, or body corporate.
ALPE - Alpine Energy Complete the NCA form on the Alpine Energy website.
CHBP - Centralines Complete the NCA form on the Centralines website.
ELEC - Electralines Limited Call 0800 353 2872 to apply for an upgrade. If a meter change is needed, contact Meridian.
EASH - Electricity Ashburton Complete the new connection/upgrade form on the Electricity Ashburton website.
ELIN - Electricity Invercargill Limited Complete the PowerNet application form on the PowerNet website.
HEDL - Horizon Energy Distribution Complete the application form on the Horizon website.
LAKE - Lakeland (via Powernet) Complete the PowerNet application form on the PowerNet website.
MPOW - MainPower Your electrician must apply to the network and provide a Network Authority Number to Meridian.
WATA - Waitaki Power Complete the application form on the Network Waitaki website.
TASM - Network Tasman Complete the application form on the Network Tasman website.
NPOW - Northpower Limited Complete the application form on the Northpower website and provide approval paperwork to Meridian.
ORON - Orion Complete the application form on the Orion website.
OTAG - OtagoNet (via PowerNet) Complete the PowerNet application form on the PowerNet website.
POCO - Powerco Limited You/your electrician will need to engage directly with Powerco via ConnectNow. You will receive a 6 digit Salesforce case number which will need to be provided to us.
SCAN - Scanpower Obtain NCA network approval and provide the Network Authority Number to Meridian.
TPCO - The Power Company Complete the PowerNet application form on the PowerNet website.
HAWK - Unison (Hawkes Bay & Rotorua/Taupo) Complete the application form on the Unison website.
VECT - Vector Limited Call 0508 832 867 to raise an alteration service request. Provide the service request (SR) number to Meridian.
WAIK - WEL Networks Limited Complete the application form on the WEL Networks website.
CKHK - Wellington Electricity Lines Limited

Provide your electrician’s full name, business name, and email address to Meridian.

A network-specific charge of $597 (including GST) will apply and will be invoiced to you by Meridian. This is in addition to any other fees that may be charged by Meridian.
WPOW - Westpower Complete the application form on the Westpower website.
Other networks Contact Meridian to get started.

Timeframes and fees

  • Standard turnaround: within 10 business days
  • CTs dispatched: within 5 business days
  • Wellington Electricity Lines: additional $597 fee (incl. GST), billed by Meridian.
  • 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 raise a capacity change?

If your site is ready and you’ve checked and completed the network requirements above:

Head to our business contact us page to get things started.
For residential customers, contact our residential support hub.