PROJECTS
Review of the Orion Networks Application for a Customized Price-Quality Path, New Zealand
The problem
Following devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, Christchurch’s electricity distribution company Orion was faced with the task of rebuilding the local power grid. It made a regulatory submission for a customized price-quality path (CPP), the first time this has been done in New Zealand. New Zealand’s largest distribution company, Vector, also operates in earthquake prone areas and wanted to ensure that the approach taken with Orion would work for it and other distribution companies.
How we helped
Castalia reviewed Orion’s regulatory proposal. We checked that the approach would be suitable for Vector and other distribution companies if they were to suffer significant earthquake damage in future. We found that it was suitable. We then developed additional arguments in favor of Orion’s proposal, which were submitted to the Commerce Commission.
Impact
The Commerce Commission accepted Orion’s proposal in large part, and in so doing created a regulatory framework to allow Vector and other distribution companies to recover the cost of rebuilding after an earthquake.
The client
Our team
Find out more
- Commerce Commission assessment of Orion’s proposal for a customized price-quality path
- Seismic Vulnerability of Power Supply: Lessons Learned from Recent Earthquakes
and Future Horizons of Research
How can we help you?
How can we help you?
WASHINGTON, DC
+1 (202) 466-6790
1747 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 1200
United States of America
SYDNEY
+61 (2) 9231 6862
Suite 19.01, Level 19, 227 Elizabeth Street
Australia
AUCKLAND
+64 (4) 913 2800
Sinclair House, 3 Glenside Crescent
New Zealand
WELLINGTON
+64 (4) 913 2800
Level 2, 88 The Terrace
New Zealand
PARIS
+33 (0)1 85 64 10 22
3B Rue Taylor
France
BOGOTÁ
+57 (1) 508 5794
Calle 81 #11-08, Piso 5, Oficina 5-121
Colombia
Thinking for a better world.

WASHINGTON, DC
+1 (202) 466-6790
1747 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 1200
United States of America
SYDNEY
+61 (2) 9231 6862
Suite 19.01, Level 19, 227 Elizabeth Street
Australia
AUCKLAND
+64 (4) 913 2800
74D France Street, Newton South
New Zealand
WELLINGTON
+64 (4) 913 2800
Level 2, 88 The Terrace
New Zealand
PARIS
+33 (1) 73 44 26 97
6 Rue Duret
France
BOGOTÁ
+57 (1) 508 5794
Calle 81 #11-08, Piso 5, Oficina 5-127
Colombia
Thinking for a better world.
