The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority just published an estimate of the size of the potential flexibility resource by economic sector and by region.
FlexForum is amped to see another timely contribution from EECA to the considerations on how flexible resources and flexibility can support a power system that households, businesses and communities with a more sustainable, reliable and affordable power system.
The headline numbers…
• Between 1,700 and 1,900 MW (megawatts) of current peak electricity demand across New Zealand could be shifted to off-peak.
• This corresponds to a total value of almost $3 billion of avoided investment in generation and network infrastructure if applied to Transpower’s estimate of $1.5 billion in system cost reduction for each GW of peak demand reduction.
• Approximately 1,350 GWh (gigawatt hours) of electricity use per year (roughly 3% of annual demand) could be shifted away from peaks at a procurement price (incentive payment) of less than $500/MWh. By 2040, this increases to almost 2,000 GWh.
Much of the existing flex potential is untapped.
FlexForum calculated in late 2025 that at least 590MW of flexibility coming from stationary batteries, EV charging flex, water heating flex and C&I flex is currently actively deployed as part of running a secure, reliable and affordable power system.
That’s a 1 GW opportunity!
FlexForum’s
Flexibility Plan lists 41 practical steps that are needed to close the gap and ensure that households, businesses and communities can realise the benefits of a smart, flexible power system.
Our 47 Members are actively working to deliver the Flexibility Plan and realise the full potential of flexible electricity use in New Zealand. Key activities include:
• Colouring in the white spaces to inform a vision of the smart flexible system of the future. Right now, this includes considering a coherent approach to the role of data and digitalisation and considering what sort of pricing and orchestration mechanisms are needed for a flexible system.
• Sharing flex knowledge and experience through regular webinars, newsletters and project progress updates.
• Supporting the increasing amount of learning-by-doing that is kicking off as the sector works out how to both practically use flexible resources and get people to say yes to flex.
This is unknown territory - FlexForum provides a place to ask questions, work through issues and develop standard delivery processes.
What to know more about FlexForum?
