“That’s a big difference to most households when many people are already stretched,” the EA’s general manager of retail and consumer, Andrew Millar, said.
A range of factors determine how much a household’s power bill might change, including who their power company is, what plan they’re on and where they live.
Lines charges have been increasing to reflect the need for more investment in the power distribution network.
“We know lines charges are increasing this year,” Millar said.
“That part of your power bill is regulated by the Commerce Commission, and accounts for around one-half to two-thirds of these increases.”
He said the EA wanted to know more about what else may be pushing prices up.
“We’ll take a close look at that information and follow up if the data indicates anything unusual or unexpected,” he said.
While the authority doesn’t set power prices, addressing the impacts and the causes of higher prices was central to its work, Millar said.
Millar said consumers could check the website Billy – a power price comparison tool launched last month – to find out if they were paying too much.
“This will make it easier for people to make sure they’re on the best possible power plan for their household.”
More than 96,000 people have already visited Billy to see if they can get a better deal by switching power companies.
From October, the EA will require large power companies to offer a pricing plan that gives consumers cheaper rates for off-peak electricity.
Later in the year, all power companies will be required to make their power bills clearer and easier to understand, and regularly check their customers are on the best plan they offer.
Jamie Gray is an Auckland-based journalist, covering the financial markets, the primary sector and energy. He joined the Herald in 2011.
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