The Commission has received an application from Vector Limited seeking clearance to acquire some or all of the shares or assets of Contact Energy Limited’s natural gas metering business.

Vector owns and operates infrastructure networks, including gas transmission pipelines and reticulated gas distribution.

Contact Energy is an energy company that operates power generators and retails electricity, natural gas and LPG.

Vector and Contact Energy both provide electricity and gas metering services. Gas meters record the volume of natural gas that is delivered to end customers through the reticulated gas network. The reticulated gas network is only in the North Island.

In considering the application, the Commission's role is to determine whether the acquisition has the effect of substantially lessening competition in any market. A public version of the application is available on the Commission's website at www.comcom.govt.nz/clearances-register

Background

A fact sheet explaining how the Commission assesses mergers and acquisitions is available at www.comcom.govt.nz/merger-assessment