The $13.5 Million Secret: 5 Crucial Facts About Counties Power (Now Counties Energy) And Its 2025 Network Future
As of December 22, 2025, the entity formerly known as Counties Power has firmly established its new identity as Counties Energy, marking a significant evolution from a local power company to a future-focused energy distributor. This transformation is not just a change of name; it reflects a deep commitment to modernizing the electricity distribution network across one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions, encompassing Southern Auckland and Northern Waikato. The most recent and impactful news for consumers is the massive financial return to the community, alongside critical infrastructure investments that are laying the groundwork for a more resilient and reliable power supply for over 49,000 homes, farms, and businesses.
This article will dive deep into the latest developments, from the multi-million dollar community payout to the key individuals steering the company's direction, providing a fresh and unique perspective on the critical energy provider for the region spanning from Papakura to Mercer.
The Counties Energy Leadership: Trust, Directors, and Key Figures (2025 Profile)
Unlike many commercial entities, Counties Energy is 100% owned by the Counties Energy Trust, which holds the company on behalf of the consumers connected to the network. This unique ownership model ensures that the company's profits are reinvested into the network and returned to the community in the form of an Annual Discount (often referred to as a dividend or payout). The business is governed by a Board of Directors, while the Trust is overseen by elected Trustees, creating a dual-layered leadership structure.
Key Leadership and Governance Entities:
- The Counties Energy Trust: The shareholder holding 100% of Counties Energy Limited on behalf of consumers.
- Counties Energy Trust Trustees (2025): The elected representatives include Chair Christine Rupp, Michael Marr, Don Thomson, and recently elected members David Tompkins and Andrew Murray Kay. Their primary duty is to ensure the company operates for the benefit of the consumers.
- Counties Energy Board of Directors: Responsible for the operation and strategic direction of the energy business.
- Board Chairperson: Keith Watson, who was appointed as Chairperson after serving as a director since 2020.
- Other Directors/Executives: The team includes key figures such as Angus Malcolm Don, Hamish William Stevens, Jonathan Anthony Kay, and Bill Heaps, an electrical engineer with over 50 years of industry experience.
The strategic oversight provided by both the Trust and the Board is crucial as the company navigates the challenges of managing a fast-growing network in a dynamic energy environment.
The $40 Million Network Transformation: Upgrades and Resilience
Counties Energy is actively engaged in large-scale infrastructure projects designed to build a "resilient, future-ready energy network." The most significant recent undertaking is the transformative $40 million Eastern Network Renewal programme. This massive investment is specifically aimed at strengthening the reliability and resilience of the network, a core priority for the company.
The network itself is a complex system of assets servicing the region from southern Papakura to Mercer, running coast to coast and west of the Bombay Hills. It includes thousands of kilometers of lines, cables, and transformers, as well as critical infrastructure like substations.
Key Network Entities and Assets:
- Eastern Network Renewal: A $40 million programme focused on reliability and resilience.
- New Substations: The company has recently built new substations in strategic growth areas, specifically Pokeno and Barber, to manage increasing load and improve service.
- Physical Assets: The network comprises insulators, transformers, switchgear, arrestors, busbars, and zone-substation switchgear, all managed under a comprehensive Asset Management Plan.
- Technology Upgrade: Counties Energy is transitioning to a new energy distribution management system to operate its network in a smarter, more efficient way.
These upgrades are vital for supporting the region, which is one of New Zealand's fastest-growing, putting immense pressure on existing electricity infrastructure.
The Annual Discount and 2025 Pricing: What Consumers Need to Know
One of the most compelling aspects of Counties Energy's community-owned structure is the Annual Discount. In a recent announcement, Counties Energy delivered a substantial $13.5 million Annual Discount to its community. This payment, which is a direct return of profits to eligible consumers, underscores the company's commitment to its community-centric model and its focus on financial performance.
The discount is paid out by the Counties Energy Trust to consumers whose names were on the power bill as of a specified date, such as August 13, 2025. This financial benefit is a tangible advantage of being connected to a consumer-owned network.
2025 Financial and Pricing Entities:
- $13.5 Million Payout: The recent significant Annual Discount delivered to the community.
- Price Change Notification (April 2025): The company has issued a price change notification for the 2025/26 financial year.
- New Price Category: For 2025/26, a new Price Category called "Community Large" has been introduced, though other price categories remain unchanged from 2024/25.
- Default Price Path (DPP): The company’s pricing and reliability philosophy are tied to regulatory requirements, including the Default Price Path, which governs electricity distribution pricing in New Zealand.
This transparent approach to pricing and the direct financial return set Counties Energy apart, emphasizing affordability alongside network reliability.
Commitment to Excellence and Future Growth
Counties Energy’s dedication to operational excellence was recently recognized at a national level. In September 2024, the company was honored with two prestigious New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards. These awards highlight its achievements in critical areas such as innovation, reliability, and safety.
Looking ahead, the company’s strategy is heavily focused on sustainability and managing the rapid growth of the region. The network services a diverse geography, including residential areas, farms, and commercial businesses, requiring a sophisticated approach to load management and infrastructure planning.
The ongoing commitment to safety remains a core value and priority, alongside network reliability and financial performance targets set out in their annual reports. By investing heavily in its physical assets and transitioning to smarter management systems, Counties Energy is ensuring that the electricity distribution network is capable of meeting the demands of a growing population and the transition to clean energy solutions in the coming decades.
The transition from Counties Power to Counties Energy symbolizes a strategic shift toward a more modern, resilient, and community-focused energy distribution model. The combination of multi-million dollar community payouts and significant infrastructure upgrades positions the company as a leading example of a consumer-owned utility successfully navigating the complexities of the 21st-century energy landscape in New Zealand.
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