Counties Power
Counties Power (operating as Counties Energy) is a 100% consumer-owned New Zealand regulated electricity Distribution Network Operator serving over 50,000 homes, farms, and businesses in the fast-growing southern Auckland-Waikato region, with a smart-metered network, digital outage and connection tools, and an active transition to a Distribution System Operator model for distributed energy resources.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1924
- HeadquartersPukekohe East, New Zealand
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Counties Power does
Counties Power, operating commercially as Counties Energy, is a New Zealand regulated electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) headquartered in Pukekohe, Auckland region. The company owns and operates the low-to-medium voltage distribution network spanning coast-to-coast between southern Papakura and Mercer and west of the Waikato River from Mercer to Waikaretu, serving more than 50,000 homes, farms, and businesses in one of New Zealand's fastest-growing catchments. Counties Energy was founded in 1924 (celebrating its centenary in 2024) and is 100% consumer-owned via the Counties Energy Consumer Trust, which also returns annual discounts to customers on the network. The company employs 200+ staff across operations, field services, and corporate functions.
The core product is the regulated distribution network, with a complementary digital product stack layered on top: an Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS), smart metering infrastructure covering more than 95% of the network (extended via an Intellihub partnership to deliver five-minute interval data), the Outage Hub web app for real-time outage reporting, a Network Capacity Map for connection planning, Flexible Connections (a dynamic capacity product for commercial/industrial customers), Distributed Generation connection services for solar and battery integration, and EV charging infrastructure. The business is in the middle of a structural pivot from a passive DNO to an active Distribution System Operator (DSO) acting as an "energy orchestrator" for distributed energy resources and bidirectional energy flow.
Revenue is generated primarily through regulated network distribution charges passed through to end customers via competing energy retailers (Mercury, Genesis, Meridian, Contact, Nova, Electric Kiwi, Powershop, Octopus, Pulse, Vocus, and others), supplemented by one-off connection and capital contribution fees from developers, and metering and data services. Segments include residential, commercial and industrial (over a quarter of connections), agricultural/rural customers, and a developer/builder pipeline tied to the 34,500 projected new dwellings in Drury-Opaheke and Pukekohe-Paerata over the next 30 years. Recent strategic priorities include DSO capability buildout, trans-Tasman orchestration partnerships (SA Power Networks), shared-platform alliances with peer EDBs (Unison, The Lines Company), and the Karaka Harbourside smart energy neighbourhood with EECA.
Counties Power firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Counties Power
- Legal name
- Counties Energy Limited
- Website
- https://countiesenergy.co.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1924
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Counties Power (operating as Counties Energy) is a 100% consumer-owned New Zealand regulated electricity Distribution Network Operator serving over 50,000 homes, farms, and businesses in the fast-growing southern Auckland-Waikato region, with a smart-metered network, digital outage and connection tools, and an active transition to a Distribution System Operator model for distributed energy resources.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Counties Power industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electricity Distribution Network Services
- NAICS
- Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies) (EUADABAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Microgrid & Local Distribution Operators (Campus/Base/Industrial Park DSOs) (EUADABAF), Distribution Network O&M (MV/LV Lines, Switchgear, Transformers) (EUAEAGAE), Distribution Network Construction (Feeders, Laterals, Service Drops) (IMAFAHAC), Network Upgrades & Capacity Additions (Reconductoring, Rebalancing, Voltage Optimization) (EUAEACAN)
Keywords
Where Counties Power is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pukekohe East
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
Counties Power business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Electricity Distribution Network Charges: Regulated revenue from providing electricity distribution services. Charges are passed through to customers via energy retailers. The company is 100% consumer-owned with annual discounts provided to customers through the Counties Energy Consumer Trust.
- Connection and Capital Contribution Fees: Charges for new connections, subdivision infrastructure extensions, and capital contributions from developers for network upgrades required to serve new developments.
- Metering Services: Smart metering infrastructure enables data services and supports integration of distributed energy resources including solar, batteries, and EV charging.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Flexible Connection Detailed Design: $6,000 excl GST |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Industrial/6+ Connection Detailed Design: $6,000 excl GST |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Counties Power product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Counties Energy owns and operates the regulated electricity distribution network servicing over 49,000 homes, farms, and businesses across the fast-growing region stretching coast to coast between southern Papakura and Mercer and west of the Waikato River from Mercer to Waikaretu. The company provides new and altered connections, smart metering, outage management through its Outage Hub platform, distributed generation (solar, battery) integration, flexible connections for large commercial/industrial loads, an interactive network capacity map, and EV charging infrastructure. The business is transitioning from a Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to a Distribution System Operator (DSO) model as an energy orchestrator for distributed energy resources.
Product overview
Counties Energy operates as a 100% locally owned electricity distribution network operator providing a core electricity distribution network serving over 50,000 homes, farms, and businesses across New Zealand's fast-growing southern Auckland/Waikato region. The company's product portfolio centers on its distribution network with complementary digital services including the Outage Hub mobile application for real-time outage management and customer notifications, smart metering infrastructure through its Intellihub partnership providing network-wide visibility, Flexible Connections for commercial/industrial customers enabling dynamic capacity management, Distributed Generation connection services for solar/battery integration, an online Network Capacity Map for connection planning, and EV charging infrastructure. The company is transitioning from a traditional Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to a Distribution System Operator (DSO) model as an 'energy orchestrator' supporting distributed energy resources and bidirectional energy flow.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Electricity Distribution Network Core regulated electricity distribution network service that delivers electricity from the national grid to over 49,000 homes, farms, and businesses across the coast-to-coast region between southern Papakura and Mercer and west of the Waikato River from Mercer to Waikaretu.
- Outage Hub Web-based mobile application that allows customers to check real-time power outages, report outages, subscribe to notifications for multiple locations, and receive updates via SMS or email during power interruptions without requiring user accounts.
- Smart Metering Smart metering infrastructure covering more than 95% of the network, producing five-minute interval data for near real-time visibility of low-voltage infrastructure, enabling proactive fault detection, faster outage response, and improved power quality management.
- Flexible Connections Connection solution for large-scale commercial, industrial, and subdivision development customers that allows sites to automatically adjust electricity import/export based on real-time network conditions, using existing network capacity more efficiently without costly infrastructure upgrades.
- Distributed Generation Connection Connection service for solar panels, batteries, and other distributed energy resources (DER) that feed back into the grid, including DG1 (up to 10kW) and DG2 (over 10kW) pathways with network assessment, design approval, and commissioning processes.
- Network Capacity Map Interactive online tool providing a high-level view of available network capacity to support early planning for new connections and generation, allowing users to toggle between consumption and generation capacity views.
- EV Charging Stations Electric vehicle charging infrastructure deployed across the network area to monitor and manage peak loads in real time as part of the company's smart energy management strategies.
Quantifiable outcome
- Smart meters cover more than 95% of the network enabling real-time visibility
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Counties Power
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Counties Power technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Counties Power partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- ASB BankmajorPartnership with ASB to advance sustainable finance in the electricity sector, supporting Counties Energy's environmental and sustainability initiatives.
- EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority)corePartnership to create New Zealand's first smart energy neighbourhood in Karaka Harbourside. Initiative focuses on distributed energy resources and smart energy management.
- The Lines CompanymajorShared Platform and Services Partnership between Counties Energy and The Lines Company for network service standardisation.
- Unison NetworksmajorStrategic partnership to standardise network services and enable smoother customer energy transition. First milestone reached in April 2026.
- IntellihubcoreSmart metering partnership extending to deliver five-minute interval data across the Counties Energy electricity network. Enables near real-time visibility of low-voltage infrastructure, proactive fault detection, faster outage response, and improved power quality management without requiring customer reports.
- The Y Camp AdairminorPartnership to launch Nature's Classroom environmental education initiative at The Y Camp Adair, funded partly through Environmental and Sustainability Grant.
- SA Power NetworkscoreTrans-Tasman collaboration for energy orchestration knowledge sharing and collaboration between Counties Energy and South Australian-based SA Power Networks. Supports DSO transition and distributed energy resource integration.
- TranspowercorePartnership for coordinated DER (Distributed Energy Resources) future. Collaborates on managing the interconnected relationship between transmission and distribution networks for renewable energy integration.
- Mai LighthouseminorCommunity partnership (formerly Franklin Family Support Services) for Winter Warmer Packs initiative supporting local whanau in need for four consecutive years.
- Electricity Networks Association (ENA)minorIndustry collaboration with ENA and other Electricity Distribution Businesses (EDBs) to simplify the connections process for customers through standardised terminology and glossary.
- Waiuku CoastguardminorCommunity sponsorship of emergency and safety services including Waiuku Coastguard and Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust.
- Auckland Rescue Helicopter TrustminorCommunity sponsorship of emergency and safety services including Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Counties Power competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Vector Limited: Vector is New Zealand's largest electricity distributor (Auckland) and energy infrastructure company, listed on the NZX. It is the most direct comparable in terms of business model (regulated DNO with smart meter data capabilities, transitioning to DSO) and serves a much larger and adjacent Auckland customer base, making it a benchmark peer.
Direct peers
- Powerco: Powerco is one of New Zealand's largest electricity distributors and gas distributors, serving the North Island. It is a directly comparable regulated DNO with similar DSO transition challenges, comparable customer base, and similar capex requirements for new connections and DER integration.
- Unison Networks: Unison Networks is a regulated electricity distribution business serving Hawke's Bay, Taupo, and Rotorua. It is a directly comparable peer of similar scale, and importantly is a strategic partner of Counties Energy in the shared platform and services partnership, making the relationship both competitive and collaborative.
- WEL Networks: WEL Networks is a consumer-trust-owned electricity distributor in the Waikato region, similar to Counties Energy in size, ownership model, and customer mix (rural/agricultural). It is a closely comparable peer and sits adjacent geographically.
- The Lines Company: The Lines Company is a small consumer-owned electricity distributor in the King Country region. It is a strategic partner in the shared platform and services partnership with Counties Energy, making it both a peer and a collaborator on industry standardisation.
- Waipa Networks: Waipa Networks is a small consumer-trust-owned electricity distributor in the Waipa district, adjacent to Counties Energy's territory. Highly comparable in terms of size, trust ownership, rural customer mix, and growth profile in the greater Hamilton-Waikato corridor.
- Network Waitaki: Network Waitaki is a small consumer-owned electricity distributor in the Waitaki district of the South Island. It is comparable to Counties Energy in scale, ownership structure (consumer trust), and operational profile as a smaller NZ EDB undergoing DSO transition.
- Aurora Energy: Aurora Energy is a regulated electricity distributor in Dunedin and Central Otago, owned by the Dunedin City Holdings. Comparable as a mid-sized NZ EDB with similar regulatory dynamics, and shares a board director (Wendie Harvey) with Counties Energy, indicating close industry connections.
Regional players
- Horizon Energy Group: Horizon Energy distributes electricity in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and is a comparable NZ EDB by size and customer mix. Operates in a different region but shares the same regulatory framework and DSO transition challenges, making it a useful comparable peer.
Others
- Transpower New Zealand: Transpower is the national grid operator and a strategic partner of Counties Energy for DER coordination. While not a direct distribution peer, it is the upstream transmission counterpart and a key collaborator on the energy transition, making it a relevant ecosystem participant.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Counties Power social profiles
Digital presenceCounties Power financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Counties Power leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Counties Power funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Counties Power M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Counties Power
What does Counties Power do?
Counties Energy owns and operates the regulated electricity distribution network servicing over 49,000 homes, farms, and businesses across the fast-growing region stretching coast to coast between southern Papakura and Mercer and west of the Waikato River from Mercer to Waikaretu. The company provides new and altered connections, smart metering, outage management through its Outage Hub platform, distributed generation (solar, battery) integration, flexible connections for large commercial/industrial loads, an interactive network capacity map, and EV charging infrastructure. The business is transitioning from a Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to a Distribution System Operator (DSO) model as an energy orchestrator for distributed energy resources.
Is Counties Power a public or private company?
Counties Power is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Counties Power founded?
Counties Power was founded in 1924. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Counties Power based?
Counties Power is headquartered in Pukekohe East, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Counties Power make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Electricity Distribution Network Charges are the primary driver. The others are connection and Capital Contribution Fees and metering Services.
Who are Counties Power's main competitors?
Vector Limited is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Powerco, Unison Networks, WEL Networks, The Lines Company, Waipa Networks, Network Waitaki and Aurora Energy. Horizon Energy Group is listed as a regional player. Transpower New Zealand is listed as an others.
Does Counties Power have an API?
No public API is recorded for Counties Power.
What industry is Counties Power in?
Counties Power's product category is Electricity Distribution Network Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADABAI, Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies), with a secondary code of EUADABAF, Microgrid & Local Distribution Operators (Campus/Base/Industrial Park DSOs). Its NAICS code is 221122 and its SIC code is 4911.