17 May 2016

Multi-million dollar increase in Auckland transmission prices still on the table

Auckland consumers will pay a significant increase in electricity transmission costs, under an Electricity Authority consultation paper released today, says Auckland Energy Consumer Trust (AECT) Chairman, William Cairns.

Mr Cairns says the revised proposal released by the EA was extremely disappointing and would result in Aucklander’s paying an additional $78 million a year for Transpower’s electricity transmission costs, while electricity generators would benefit financially from the proposed changes to the tune of $70 million per year.

“We would like to understand how the EA will ensure electricity retailers who have benefitted from this decision will pass their windfall onto their customers via electricity price reductions.

“The proposal from the EA is not fair or right. Auckland families, the elderly and small business owners who are at the heart of Auckland’s economic engine room, will all be paying higher electricity prices which will increase the profits of electricity generators and foreign owned large industrial companies,” said Mr Cairns.

“Disappointingly, the EA proposals do not benefit consumers and are particularly detrimental to consumers in Auckland, Northland, Eastern Bay of Plenty and the West Coast”.

ENDS

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