Distribution transformers

The importance of distribution transformer efficiency

Distribution transformers are critical infrastructure components in the electricity grid, enabling voltage changes between primary and secondary circuits. They typically lose less than 2% of the energy that passes through them, but as they are energised 24 hours a day, even small increases in efficiency result in significant electricity savings.

Consultation on Minimum Energy Performance Standards for Distribution Transformers

The Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS) assesses policy options for increasing the energy efficiency of distribution transformers in Australia and New Zealand. The recommendations in the CRIS include expanding the scope and increasing the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for distribution transformers.

This is a joint Australian and New Zealand Government consultation under the E3 program. The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is managing the consultation in Australia.

More information about the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) program

Public consultation now open

Public consultation is open until 31 January 2025

Submissions should be sent to star@eeca.govt.nz

View the Distribution Transformers CRIS [PDF 3.8 MB]

View DCCEEW's consultation page(external link)

Requirements of submissions

Submissions to star@eeca.govt.nz are subject to the following requirements:

- The Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) program is an inter-governmental initiative by the Australian Government, states and territories and the New Zealand Government to improve the energy efficiency of equipment.
- EECA may share your consultation submission with E3 members, primarily, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). Sharing of submissions is required to further develop policy options that align between Australia and New Zealand.
- Information EECA shares with DCCEEW will be afforded the protections of the Australian Privacy Act 1988(external link) and the Archives Act 1983(external link). For more information, please visit DCCEEW’s Privacy Policy(external link).
- The New Zealand Privacy Act 2020(external link) governs how your information is required to be collected, stored, used and shared.
- DCCEEW and EECA may also share your information with parties involved in the development of policy options as well as other Australian Government agencies through data sharing relationships. Those parties are also bound by the mentioned New Zealand and Australian Acts.
- If you do not want your information shared with DCCEEW, its service providers or other Australian Government entities, please specify this in your submission.
Under the Official Information Act 1982(external link) (OIA), information held by EECA is to be made available to requestors unless there are grounds for withholding it. The grounds for withholding information are outlined in the OIA.

If you are making a submission, you may wish to indicate any grounds for withholding information. Reasons for withholding information could include information that is commercially sensitive or personal (such as names or contact details). An automatic confidentiality disclaimer from your IT system will not be considered grounds for withholding information.

EECA will consider your preference when determining whether to release information. Any decisions to withhold information requested under the OIA may be reviewed by the Ombudsman.

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Regulatory requirements under review
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- Commercial refrigeration
  In May 2018, New Zealand Cabinet approved the E3 policy proposal to revise the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for commercial refrigeration. A process to amend current regulations is underway.
- Fridges & freezers (domestic)
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