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High load consent

Do you need to apply for high load consent? 

To apply for a High Load Consent, please visit www.powerline.co.nz. This site is designed to make it easier for customers in the South Island to apply for High Load Consents, especially when travelling across several network areas.

If you have any questions about high load consent, please contact our Network Services Representatives on 0800 30 90 80.

We’re here to help. Get in touch if you need help. Or, check out our FAQs.

Electrical code of practice and safety regulations

A person who carries out any construction, building, excavation, or other work on or near an electric line must maintain safe distance.

Regulation 17 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 requires that a person who carries out any construction, building, excavation, or other work on or near an electric line must maintain safe distances in accordance with New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances (NZECP 34:2001).

Minimum safe distances have been set by NZECP 34 primarily to protect persons, property, vehicles and mobile plant from harm or damage from electrical hazards. 

Key requirements of NZECP 34 include: 

  • The distance between any live overhead electric line and any part of any mobile plant or load carried shall be “AT LEAST 4.0 METRES”, unless the operator has received written consent from the overhead electric line owner allowing a reduced distance. 
  • The distance between any exposed live parts and persons (including tools held) shall be “AT LEAST 4.0 METRES”, unless the person has received written consent from the owner of the live parts allowing a reduced distance. 
  • Mobile plant or any load carried shall not operate above the conductors of any overhead electric line unless the operator has received written consent from the overhead electric line owner to work above the overhead electric line.

We’re here to help

If you need some assistance or advice, please get in touch with our team.

Outage notifications

Power restoration during high fire risk season.

As the region’s fire risk increases, MainPower is implementing extra safety measures to protect our communities.

This means that restoring power after an outage may take longer than usual.

Click here to find out more.

Thank you for your patience as we work to restore power quickly and safely.

MainPower Holiday Closure

MainPower offices will be closed from Friday 20th December to Monday 6th January.

We will still be attending faults during this period.

Is your outage not listed?

Troubleshoot your outage
Treat all lines as live during the outage period; power may be restored at any time. If you require further information, please call MainPower’s 24-hour fault line to report an emergency call 111.

Outage notifications

Power restoration during high fire risk season.

As the region’s fire risk increases, MainPower is implementing extra safety measures to protect our communities.

This means that restoring power after an outage may take longer than usual.

Click here to find out more.

Thank you for your patience as we work to restore power quickly and safely.

MainPower Holiday Closure

MainPower offices will be closed from Friday 20th December to Monday 6th January.

We will still be attending faults during this period.

Is your outage not listed?

Troubleshoot your outage
Treat all lines as live during the outage period; power may be restored at any time. If you require further information, please call MainPower’s 24-hour fault line to report an emergency call 111.

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