Network Tasman announces $8.4 million in line charge discounts

Consumer-owned local electricity distributor Network Tasman has announced $8.4 million of discounts will be credited onto its consumers’ winter power bills.

“Network Tasman is pleased to provide a winter discount to our customers,” said Network Tasman CEO Oliver Kearney. He noted that “Network Tasman’s residential line charges remain among the lowest in the country.”

 The company’s 39,000 consumers will receive a discount that is based upon the amount of power used. An average residential consumer using around 7,000 kWh per annum can expect a discount of $153 on their July or August power bill.

To be eligible a consumer must have had an active, metered connection to Network Tasman’s electricity distribution system as at midnight 10 July 2017.

 The company is currently arranging for electricity retailers to credit the discounts onto consumers’ power bills from mid-July through to the end of August. The discount will be clearly identified as a separate item. 

 “Eligible consumers will automatically receive a discount irrespective of which electricity retailer they’re signed up with,” said Mr Kearney. “Switching retailers does not alter this entitlement because the discount comes from Network Tasman and not the retailer.” 

 Network Tasman is 100% consumer-owned by the Network Tasman Trust. Our network covers the Nelson-Tasman region, excluding the central Nelson area. Consumer ownership and a focus on cost efficiency has enabled Network Tasman to credit more than $160 million of discounts back to consumers in the region since the scheme’s inception in 1994.