29 January 2013

Power prices up 22% under National

Data tabled in parliament today shows that power prices have risen 22% since National came to power; increasing 3% last year alone despite demand falling by 2%, said the Green Party today.

January Consumer Price Index information proves that power prices are rising at twice the rate of inflation, even as demand falls.

“Families doing it tough will find it galling that the Government and the Electricity Authority are telling them they are not paying enough for power,” said Green Party energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes.

“The Green Party New Zealand Power policy would cut power bills by $300 a year, but National and the Electricity Authority want to keep a system that sees power prices rise.

“Simon Bridges thinks the electricity market is working, but constant price rises show is it not and is actually hurting families and businesses.

“Simon Bridges has his head in the sand and is defending a failed electricity market that is stretching family budgets.

“42,600 families were disconnected for failure to pay their power bills in the year to September 2013, four times the level of non-payment disconnections in 2008.

“The rapid raise in electricity disconnections under National is further evidence power prices are too high and increasing dangerously.

“The Green Party will be campaigning on cheaper power prices this election. It looks like the Government will be campaigning on their track record of larger power bills for Kiwi families.”

• Electricity Authority: Disconnections for non payment. January 2006 – September 2013

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