Electricity Industry Act 2004

A licensee may interrupt, suspend or restrict the supply of electricity provided by the licensee if in the licensee’s opinion it is necessary to do so because of an accident, emergency, potential danger or other unavoidable cause.

A licensee is not liable for any loss or damage that arises from an interruption, suspension or restriction under subsection (1) except to the extent that —

the interruption, suspension or restriction results from —

a negligent act or omission of the licensee or an officer or employee of the licensee; or

an act or omission of the licensee or an officer or employee of the licensee done or made in bad faith;

an agreement to which the licensee is a party provides otherwise.

A licensee must take reasonable steps to minimise the extent or duration of any interruption, suspension or restriction under subsection (1).

This section is in addition to —

any powers that the licensee has under the Electricity Act 1945 or the Electricity Corporations Act 2005 in relation to the interruption, suspension or restriction of the supply of electricity; and

the provisions of the Energy Operators (Powers) Act 1979 sections 48 and 57 if those provisions are prescribed provisions (as defined in section 45(1)) in respect of the licensee; and

any contractual rights that the licensee may have to interrupt, suspend or restrict the supply of electricity,