Operational performance highlights:

  • 592,962 electricity network connections, up 1.7% on September 2020

  • 116,840 gas network connections, up 2.0% on September 2020

  • 8.5% growth of advanced meter fleet since 30 September 2020 (total of 1,895,550 now installed across Aus/NZ)

  • More than 420,000 advanced meters now installed in Australian market


​Commentary:
COVID-19 has impacted Vector's business operations during the three months ended 30 September 2021. Auckland spent five weeks at alert level 4 from 17 August, while the rest of New Zealand had two weeks at alert level 4 and at least a week at level 3 during the quarter. In Australia, our business has also been impacted by various levels of Government restrictions. As a lifeline utility, Vector has continued to operate essential services during this period across its electricity, gas, fibre, and metering businesses.

The first quarter to 30 September 2021 has seen Auckland's growth continue, with strong network connection numbers across Vector's electricity and gas networks. In the year to 30 September 2021, total electricity connection numbers grew by 1.7%. Electricity distributed volume for the quarter was down 0.4% compared with the quarter ended 30 September 2020. Residential volumes were up 2.0% and SME/I&C volumes were down 2.6%.

Auckland's continuing growth helped drive an uplift in gas distribution network customers, with a 2.0% increase in total connections over the 12 months to 30 September 2021. Gas connections in the September quarter were down 32.8% on the same quarter last year reflecting the impact of COVID-19 restrictions in Auckland. Gas distribution volume for the quarter was down 9.3% compared with the same period in 2020, driven by reduced activity from the industrial and commercial sectors due to COVID-19.

Vector's metering business continues to perform in an increasingly competitive market both here and in Australia. Connection numbers increased by 8.5% on September 2020, with a total fleet of 1,895,550. We have now installed more than 420,000 advanced meters in Australia.

BottleSwap has seen a 5.4% decrease in the number of 9kg bottles swapped in the quarter to 30 September 2021 compared with the same period last year. BottleSwap volumes have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 alert level restrictions.

Natural gas volumes are down 46.4% on the September 2020 comparative quarter, with the reduction driven by lower retail sales including the loss of a large customer in June 2021. Liquigas LPG tolling volumes are down 8.9% on the September 2020 comparative quarter due to lower customer demand.

Total SAIDI minutes for the six months ended 30 September 2021 are slightly unfavourable compared to the same period last year but still within the year-to-date regulatory threshold and notably favourable compared to earlier years. The major network events SAIDI minutes were 9.8 minutes higher due to Auckland storm events in early August.

  1. As at 30 September.
  2. Net number of customers added during the period, includes disconnected, reconnected, and decommissioned ICPs.
  3. SAIDI (minutes) for the 6 months ended 30 September 2021 is an unaudited value and subject to change.
  4. Billable ICPs.
  5. Excludes gas sold as gas liquids.
  6. Number of 9kg LPG bottles swapped and sold during the period.
  7. The number of advanced meters as at 30 September 2021 includes 179,147 meters managed but not owned by Vector (30 September 2020: 170,861).

ENDS

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Vector Limited published this content on 21 October 2021 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 20 October 2021 21:03:09 UTC.