From the Rakaia to the Waimakariri, Arthurs Pass to Banks Peninsula, we own and operate the electricity distribution network in central Canterbury. Our network extends over 8,000 square kilometres and we deliver electricity to more than 211,600 homes and businesses. We are focussed on how our network can be re-configured and engineered into one that provides the services our customers need in a changing energy landscape. We aim to be a forerunner in our field, providing strategic infrastructure leadership that contributes to the development of our industry, in an evolving energy future. Underpinning all we do, it is critical we continue to perform our core network role exceptionally. Aspiring to be New Zealand’s most advanced electricity network reflects our focus on continuous improvement to ensure we are future fit. We are focussed on ensuring we engage with our customers in our decision making, and actively seek out new systems and services to provide an exceptional customer experience. We are investing in human capability to ensure our Group and our sector can respond to the challenges ahead. We are a passionate advocate for clean energy, and a proactive enabler of those seeking help to reduce their carbon footprint through more efficient use of low carbon energy sources. We have an inclusive organisational culture and we use our Work Principles as guiding principles to help design Orion for the future: • People can be curious, explore new possibilities and learn in pursuit of our vision • People feel safe to be themselves • People can take ownership, exercise good judgement and act • People deliver what's required to a high standard • People support each other and work together as a team Our Purpose is to Power a cleaner and brighter future for our communities.
External link for Orion NZ Ltd
565 Wairakei Road
Burnside
Christchurch, Canterbury 8053, NZ
This is a a great opportunity to get involved and have your say on local issues affecting local businesses with the Quarterly Canterbury Business Survey.
You heard it from Kiley Charteris! Our Quarterly Canterbury Business Survey is still OPEN! Have your say and help shape our messaging for the upcoming local elections and our advocacy for 2025. Ready to make an impact? Take the survey now https://hubs.li/Q036VW1D0 #BusinessConfidence #BusinessSurvey #BusinessCanterbury
Incentivising flexibility with Resi-Flex We’ve been collaborating with Wellington Electricity to introduce Resi-Flex. Resi-Flex has been designed to explore commercial models that incentivise residential flexibility in Aotearoa New Zealand. In partnership with Octopus Energy, Resi-Flex has been tested to show how adjustments to household energy consumption in response to system signals can reduce costs and contribute to a more stable and efficient electricity system. Three commercial models are currently being tested: Managed Services, Procured Flexibility, and Consumption Bands, each offering unique approaches to rewarding smart energy use. Read more about our progress (https://lnkd.in/gHg6TNN5) on incentivising flexibility and how this trial has seen exciting results, including: · 50% reduction in customer load at peak times · One in three Octopus Energy customers participating · Two out of three households saving money during the trial 💬 Let us know what you see as the biggest enabler for scaling residential flexibility in Aotearoa? Whether it’s new commercial models, better customer engagement, or something else, we’d love to hear your thoughts!
We’re pleased to share our ViSION with EDB’s around New Zealand. Visibility and System Insights for the Orion Network (ViSION) is a project for developing a greater understanding of the condition of the Orion low voltage network, which like most EDBs around New Zealand was planned when household loads were passive and reasonably stable with one-way power flow. Now consumer needs have changed with many adopting solar panels and EVs which can create two-way flows through our network. Typically, street-level low voltage network supply more than 99% of customers, but visibility of the condition and behaviour of the low voltage network has been limited. We’re sharing our insights with other NZ EDBs through project documentation, conference papers and other knowledge sharing sessions to accelerate this learning for others on the same journey as us. This also includes award-winning content from the recent EEA conference, where Yuyin Kueh was awarded ‘IET Best Presentation’ and Peter Jaksons was awarded ‘Best Paper – Member’ Read more about our ViSION https://lnkd.in/e3eWdcYF
Thanks Connexis we're excited to be working with EA Networks and Connetics to host this event in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
We're thrilled to announce Annual Connection will make its return to the South Island in 2025, thanks to a team of three host companies - Orion NZ Ltd, EA Networks, and Connetics. We look forward to seeing everyone at the event at Canterbury Park, October 21-23, 2025. Entries open in April but keep an eye out here for updates: www.annualconnection.co.nz https://lnkd.in/ghge8sXK #infrastructureindustry #annualconnection #electricitysupplyindustry #cablejointers #linemechanics #skillup #ConnexisNZ #Connexis #apprenticeships #infrastructuretrades #tradestraining
Back in September last year we officially opened our new Milton Switching Station. We’re proud of the amazing artwork that adorns the building with thanks to Hori Te Ariki Mataki - Ariki Creative. This stunning photo of the building at night was just too good not to share! We welcome you to stop by the substation and find out more about this incredible artwork from the storyboards accessible outside the site. Mahi tino pai ki a koutou katoa! 📸 James Munro
Wishing you and your whānau all the best for the festive season. Our teams, as always, are available 24/7 throughout the holidays. https://lnkd.in/gmwVt5J5
It’s exciting to see the opening of bp’s first EV Gigahub™ in the southern hemisphere in Ōtautahi Christchurch. A big shout out to bp charge and Christchurch International Airport Limited for leaning into the electrification of transport. At The Orion Group, our purpose is “powering a cleaner and brighter future with our community”, so it’s great to see others getting on board with this kaupapa. The Orion Group Chief Executive Nigel Barbour, Orion GM Electricity Network Steve Macdonald and Connetics CEO John Thompson joined in for a photo with the team from Orion and Connetics, and Tim from Aotea Electric Canterbury, who were all involved in providing the essential electricity infrastructure for bp’s 12 fast EV charge points. Given ongoing global supply chain challenges for high voltage electrical equipment, the team pulled out all the stops to ensure we ‘hooked up’ the Gigahub™ and provided the hosting capacity needed by the delivery date. Thanks to both bp charge and CIAL for their very important parts in this project.
Thanks to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) who have granted Orion a Part 102 Operating Certificate. This is a big step in continuing to enhance our UAV/Drone programme. The use of UAV technologies has many benefits for our network. It improves safety, reduces fatigue for our workers and makes difficult tasks easier. It also increases our resilience and reliability by finding faults before they become a problem, allowing us to restore power faster. Thanks Peter Allen, our chief pilot and team for your hard work!
A big congratulations to all the community groups who took part in the Community Energy Activator pilot which concluded last week!
✨Last week, we celebrated the conclusion of the inaugural Community Energy Activator pilot! Over the past three months, nine community groups from Christchurch and Selwyn have been on a journey to bring their energy aspirations to life. With support from Orion NZ Ltd, Community Energy Network, and Ara Ake, participants connected with experts, navigators and community energy groups from across Aotearoa. Together, they explored projects like: ⚡ Community energy resilience hubs 🔋 Battery storage solutions ☀️ Peer-to-peer solar sharing 🌿 Renewable installations for environmental education The cohort identified synergies and opportunities to work as a collective, to enhance impact and create scalable, replicable models. This pilot highlights the potential of community-led energy initiatives and the power of collaboration to deliver solutions that put communities first. 💡 Want to learn more? Check out presentations and insights from the evening on the Activator website: buff.ly/4gdlOCO 📸Images below of the celebration evening presentations, plus all the participants together. Credit: Erica Austin, Peanut Productions Photography
Our latest Orion Community Update is out now 📬 In this issue; our new Milton switching station, how we're looking to invest more in our network, some out of the box thinking with drones, and your chance to win one of five Monopoly board games with our popular Kids Corner. https://lnkd.in/gNC_4Re8