Stuart Nash
MP for Napier
Energy Spokesperson

4 April 2016

Unison move sends wrong signal

Charging users of solar panels a special high rate because they won’t be using as much power is ridiculous, says Labour’s Energy spokesperson Stuart Nash.

“Hawkes Bay lines company Unison has announced it will begin to charge a special higher rate to users of solar power. They argue this is necessary because solar users consume less power. That’s a backwards approach that sets a really bad precedent for the future.

“If consumers move their appliances from electricity to gas, there is the same effect of falling electricity usage, but power companies don’t charge them more for their electricity.

“In fact, The Auckland-based lines company Vector has undertaken research that shows around 75% of those who have solar panels installed are still in the upper half of electricity users. It’s a myth to state that solar users use significantly less power than other users.

“Unison should be working with customers who go solar, rather than against them. The risk is that treating customers like this will only encourage them to move onto emerging technologies like batteries that will move them off grid. That would increase lines charges for everyone else.

“This move by Unison is unfair and could have some worrying long term consequences,” says Stuart Nash.

ENDS

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