ERANZ to work with government and industry on EPR paper

20 February 2019

The Electricity Retailers’ Association welcomes today’s release of the Electricity Price Review options paper and the commitment from the EPR Panel to incorporate the views of the electricity sector into the final report, ERANZ Chief Executive Cameron Burrows says.

“ERANZ will be actively working with the Panel and others in the electricity sector over the coming weeks to provide input into the final report, to help ensure it drives the most benefit for New Zealand electricity users.

“We are always striving to do better for our customers, and the EPR is a useful mechanism to continue that progress. The electricity sector has made some positive gains in recent years – the price of electricity has been flat for the last five years, and is the 11th cheapest in the developed world. The challenge is that our electricity usage is can be high – and that’s often down to poor insulation and old heaters meaning it takes a lot of electricity to heat your home.

“There won’t be perfect alignment on the benefits of all the options – indeed the Panel have indicated they don’t support all the options presented, particularly where some consumers would be harmed by reduced competition pushing up prices. We are keen to work with the Panel to support a package of changes that drive ongoing improvements for New Zealand households.”

Mr Burrows says it is particularly pleasing to see work ERANZ is already doing with the sector and government being highlighted by the Panel for wider implementation - areas such as data sharing, the EnergyMate pilot for vulnerable families, and the guidelines for dealing with medically dependent customers.

“Our EnergyMate pilot programme, which will be formally launched in the coming months, will provide in-home support to families who are struggling to pay their electricity bill and keep their homes warm in winter – helping them make sure they’re on the right plan and giving advice on how to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient.

“EnergyMate is an industry-led programme, made possible with the support of electricity retailers, lines companies and community organisations.”

ENDS

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