ALPE

Alpine Energy Ltd

18.6%

Alpine Energy is maintaining a cost-reflective distribution pricing model in line with the distribution pricing principles and guidelines issued by the Electricity Authority. Incorporating the transition to DPP4 and adjustments for inflation, Alpines revenue from delivery prices for standard connections in 2025/26 has increased by 18.6% compared to 2024/25. This increase fully complies with the price-setting regulations under the Electricity Distribution Services Default Price-Quality Determination 2025.

Alpine Energy are introducing a new “030” pricing category to sit between the “015” and “045” (formerly “360”) categories. This addition is designed to smooth the transition from 15 kW to larger connections, catering to medium-sized commercial customers. The “030” pricing category will accommodate single-phase 80 amp connections, two-phase 60 amp connections, and three phase 32 amp connections. Four new categories will be available for connections between 16 kW and 30 kW - 030HCA, 030LCA, 030UHCA, and 030ULCA.

Alpine Energy wishes to draw your attention to the increase in daily fixed price for LOW consumer groups to $0.75 per day (from $0.60 per day currently) as part of the government’s phase-out of the Low Fixed Charge Regulations. To ensure that the increase does not unduly impact these consumer groups, they have continued to not allocate any fixed prices for the pass-through and transmission prices to these consumer groups.

Alpine Energy is continuing to work through a historical pricing error, for updates and answers to frequently asked questions please visit their website https://www.alpineenergy.co.nz/customers/historical-pricing-error or email mailbox@alpineenergy.co.nz

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BUEL

Buller Electricity Ltd

6%

The overall change in Delivery Prices for BEL Price Categories in the 2025/26 financial year are summarised below. This is determined by applying 2024/25 and 2025/26 Delivery Prices to the forecast 2025/26 fixed and variable price component quantities e.g. consumer numbers, Chargeable Capacity and energy consumption, and comparing the resulting year on year total Price Category Line Charge Revenue on a percentage change basis. The Line Charge changes determined in this manner reflect the overall average change in the Delivery Prices & Line Charges to consumers in each Price Category.

• Residential Standard User [RSU] - 7.0%
• Residential Low User [RLU] - 7.0%
• General Connection - Small [G15] - 7.0%
• General Connection - Small Discretionary [G15SD] - 6.9%
• Streetlights [STL] - 7.0%
• Medium Commercial [G69] - 7.1%
• General Connection - Medium Discretionary [G69MD] - 6.8%
• Dairy Farm [DFM] - 7.0%
• Large Commercial [GHH] - 8.0%
• Community Connection – Large [GHHC] - -44.1%
• General Connection - Large Discretionary [GHHLD] - 3.8%
• Large Industrial [STK] - 7.0%

The overall average change in delivery prices for Residential is 7.0% and the overall average change in delivery prices for non-residential is 5.4%. It is noted that whether an individual consumer will experience an increase/decrease in their Line Charges from year to year depends on the Delivery Prices they are subject to in combination with their electricity usage patterns.

BEL has introduced a new Price Category (Community Large) for the 2025/26 financial year, otherwise, the Price Categories remain unchanged from 2024/25. BEL has increased the Fixed Daily Charge for Low User Residential Price Category (Price Category Code – RLU) from $0.60/Day to $0.75/Day for 2025/26.

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CHBP

Centralines

14%

Centralines’ distribution prices are set to increase by an average of 14%. This change reflects a 19% rise in transmission charges and a 13% rise in distribution charges. These increases are driven by a higher regulated Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) and rising operating and capital costs across the sector.

Please note that the new pricing schedule includes a newly introduced shoulder tariff applicable to residential time of use customers. Residential customers will see their charges go up by 16-17%, while commercial and industrial consumers will see lower increases. Price changes are driven by Centralines cost allocation methodology, which will be available on Centralines website.

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CKHK

Wellington Electricity Lines Ltd

19.1%

Overall

• Prices have increased by an average of 19.1% this year
• This year’s price increases are driven by inflation, high interest rates, and the need to invest in their network
• The price increase translates to around $10 a month increase to the lines charges part of a bill for the average residential consumer.

Residential

• Prices for residential customers will increase by an average of 17%. Low use households’ increases are higher than average because of government phase out of Low Fixed Charges.

Commercial

Prices for commercial customers will increase by an average of 22%. The price increase is higher than for the average residential price category due to how Wellington Electricity are required to implement the Electricity Authority’s (EA) Transmission Pricing Methodology (TPM).

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COUP

Counties Power Ltd

10.6%

Counties Energy is increasing lines prices by 10.6% on average from 1 April 2025. The increase in line prices has mostly been driven by a surge in material, contractor and interest costs across the business as well as the need to invest in new network infrastructure to meet continued customer growth. Other costs have also increased including labour, IT systems and a significant increase in Transpower transmission and connection charges.

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DUNE

Aurora Energy

11.2%

Price-setting context

Aurora Energy has set prices based on the Commerce Commission’s Aurora Energy Customised Price-Quality Path Determination 2021 (the CPP Determination) that was published on 31 March 2021. The CPP Determination allows Aurora Energy to increase total revenue by 12.77% for the year commencing 1 April 2025. The revenue change comprises the provisional 10.00% cap on total revenue, a 0.20% increase for the difference between forecast and actual inflation, and a 2.57% increase for the difference between forecast and actual transmission costs. These changes are fully detailed in the updated version of Aurora Energy’s Pricing Methodology that will be published in March 2025.

Distribution Service Charges

Overall, these changes result in an average price increase of 11.2%. The following changes will apply from 1 April 2025:

• An average price increase of 13.6% for customers in the Dunedin pricing area,
• An average price increase of 9.2% for customers in the Central Otago & Wānaka pricing area; and
• An average price increase of 8.0% for customers in the Queenstown pricing area, including the Frankton sub area.

ToU differentials

From 1 April 2025, Aurora Energy are further refining the strength of their ‘opt-in’ ToU price signals. The refinements mean that the prices will more closely reflect the estimated Long-Run Marginal Cost (LRMC) for each pricing area. The ToU differentials for each of the pricing areas that will be applied from 1 April 2025 are:

• Dunedin 3 cents per kWh
• Central Otago & Wānaka 10 cents per kWh
• Queenstown (incl. Frankton sub area) 10 cents per kWh

Price discount for customers exporting during control periods

Price-setting context 

Aurora Energy has set prices based on the Commerce Commission’s Aurora Energy Customised Price-Quality Path Determination 2021 (the CPP Determination) that was published on 31 March 2021. The CPP Determination allows Aurora Energy to increase total revenue by 12.77% for the year commencing 1 April 2025. The revenue change comprises the provisional 10.00% cap on total revenue, a 0.20% increase for the difference between forecast and actual inflation, and a 2.57% increase for the difference between forecast and actual transmission costs. These changes are fully detailed in the updated version of Aurora Energy’s Pricing Methodology that will be published in March 2025.

Distribution Service Charges Overall, these changes result in an average price increase of 11.2%. The following changes will apply from 1 April 2025:

• An average price increase of 13.6% for customers in the Dunedin pricing area,
• An average price increase of 9.2% for customers in the Central Otago & Wānaka pricing area; and
• An average price increase of 8.0% for customers in the Queenstown pricing area, including the Frankton sub area.

ToU differentials From 1 April 2025, Aurora Energy are further refining the strength of their ‘opt-in’ ToU price signals. The refinements mean that the prices will more closely reflect the estimated Long-Run Marginal Cost (LRMC) for each pricing area. The ToU differentials for each of the pricing areas that will be applied from 1 April 2025 are:

• Dunedin 3 cents per kWh
• Central Otago & Wānaka 10 cents per kWh
• Queenstown (incl. Frankton sub area) 10 cents per kWh

Price discount for customers exporting during control periods 

Last year, Aurora Energy commenced a trial that allowed medium sized connections in the Upper Clutha and Wānaka areas to recognise 50% of their kWh exported during control periods against their annual CPD calculation. Aurora Energy will continue the scheme for the year commencing 1 April 2025 and will extend to the Queenstown pricing area where they are anticipating future network constraints. For more details, contact us at Simply Energy and we will put you in touch with Aurora who can provide more information and guidance on how to participate in the scheme.

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EASH

Electricity Ashburton

19.9%

This year, key changes to distribution and transmission pricing are largely due to:

• Rising funding and operational costs
• Need for ongoing network investment

Increased investment in the national grid

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EAST

Firstlight Network Ltd

21.8%

Firstlight’s charges will increase from 1 April 2025 by 21.8% with varying movements across the pricing categories. Transmission charges show a 15.7% increase, while distribution charges are increasing by 22.8%. The primary driver is the DPP4 reset for Electricity Distribution and the RCP4 reset for Transpower. Due to LFC regulation phase out, low user domestic customers will be seeing a 25% increase in their daily fixed charges (increase of 15c from 60c to 75c).

As a result of the higher revenue requirements and the changes in LFC regulation, two thirds of domestic customers (all LFC consumers) will see higher than average distribution prices increase, i.e. 20.2%. Standard residential customers will see an average price increase of 19.3%.

An updated cost of service allocation methodology in 2022 is continuing to drive mixed rate movements for commercial and industrial customers. Despite price shock management being one of the main considerations, there are some commercial customers that will see their charges go up higher than the average increase. This is however driven by the Electricity Authority pricing principles embedded in Firstlight’s cost of service model.

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ELEC

Electra Limited

15%

From 1 April 2025 line charges will increase for most users. Given the ongoing challenging economic conditions and high cost of living, Electra have not made this decision lightly. Electra are acutely aware of the impact that increases in their line charges have on the community and the affordability challenges households face.

The new prices will allow Electra to provide customers with a safe and reliable supply of electricity and to ensure their network remains sustainable over the long term. The need to increase their lines revenue is driven by a combination of increased transmission, levies and other operating costs, as well as the need to continue to invest in the network to support electrification. This increase will enable aging assets to be replaced and new capacity to be built to support greater electrification. Over the past year prices have been set too low for them to realise their revenue target; Electra must correct this difference such that they can continue to fund their investment programme. Overall, the average bill is increasing by 15% compared to the figure published last year.

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ELIN

Electricity Invercargill

20.9%

Electricity Invercargill Limited (EIL) is regulated by the Default Price Path (DPP), this year is a reset year for the DPP as it enters its fourth period. This year’s reset has resulted in a major increase in the allowable revenue to EIL and Transpower. As a result of the uplift in allowable revenues, EIL is to increase its line charges for the residential and general customer groups by an average of 20.9%. The overall increase incorporates a 12% increase in Transmission costs. Whilst the average price increase is as stated above, there will be variations in the line charge changes by load groups. In the case of the individually assessed line charge customers, their consumption and demand profiles have been updated. This has resulted in some increases and decreases to customers depending on their load profile and their demand levels co-incident with our peak assessment periods.

Fixed Line Charges

In line with the Electricity Authority guidance papers all networks will recover the majority of the line charge increases through increases to the fixed daily charges.

Low Fixed Charge Regulations Phase Out

This year is the fourth year of a five-year phase out of the low fixed charge regulations, all networks will be increasing the daily fixed charge accordingly. In EIL and TPC there will still be a differential in the fixed charge price to signal the benefit of having controlled load.

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HAWK

Unison Networks

23%

Transpower has increased their revenue requirement which will be passed through to Unisons final distribution charges. Overall, the revenue Unison can recover through Distribution prices is 23% above the 2024-25 level. The allocation of total revenue across Unison's two regions is weighted slightly more to the Taupo/Rotorua region than to Hawke’s Bay this year with a change in the allocation methodology. This will be seen in the prices attached, Residential prices in Hawke’s Bay increasing by, on average, 19% while in Rotorua/Taupo this is a 23% increase.

Specific changes that have been incorporated this year are:

• Increase in daily fixed charge for LFC compliant categories from 60c per day to 75c per day.
• Change in the application of time periods for residential and general time of use plans. Weekend consumption will now only apply off-peak rates as with existing time periods with all other periods having the Shoulder rate applied.
• The General price categories will have a change to the maximum capacity allowable, currently this is 3ph20A. From April connections with 3ph40A capacity will be eligible for the NDA and TCU price categories. This brings the capacity limit in line with residential price categories and should assist in allocating non-commercial connections to a plan that is similar in price to the residential plans. This will involve moving a number of connections currently sitting in the MC1 commercial category to the NDA and TCU categories. The new price category for these connections will see a significant reduction in the daily charge they face from Unison and even with an increased variable rate compared to MC1 there will be few if any consumers facing increased overall charges.

There will be a requirement in the General price categories, NDA and TCU, that connections with a communicating AMI meter should be placed in the TCU category so that submissions will be to Peak, Shoulder and Off-peak rates. This mirrors the requirement in Unison's Residential categories.

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HEDL

Horizon Energy Distribution Ltd

24.1% (weighted average)

With effect from 1 April 2025, Horizon Networks will increase line revenue attributed to consumers (excluding major customers), by a weighted average of 24.1%. This is a total of the weighted average price changes across the various consumer groups. The prices charged by Horizon Networks are regulated by the Commerce Commission (“Commission”) and have been set in accordance with the Commission’s Electricity Distribution Services Default Price-Quality Path Determination 2025. The Commission has provided further information explaining the impacts of the Electricity Distribution Services Default Price-Quality Path Determination 2025 which can be located at https://comcom.govt.nz/electricity-charges. To understand the specific impact of the increase on you, we encourage you to take a look at Horizon Networks Price Schedule 2025-2026 which can be located at https://horizonnetworks.nz/information-disclosure-regulation/.

While the above is correct for an average household, the actual change in your bill may be different depending on how much electricity you use, and in some cases when you use electricity. There are also other factors that affect your bill, given Horizon Networks’ prices make up only 27% of the bill that you pay.

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LINE

The Lines Company

Not advised

Every five years, the Commerce Commission sets revenue limits for price-quality regulated lines companies, like The Lines Company [TLC], and the minimum quality standards they must maintain. The period for 2025-2030 (DPP4) has been set and the outcome is reflected in TLC's prices from 1 April 2025.

While the industry has seen relatively consistent levels of investment and stable costs in the past, factors like inflation and high interest rates are driving costs higher. Much of New Zealand’s electricity grid was built last century and needs renewing to remain reliable and resilient. The sector is also undergoing significant change as it responds to increasing demand from the transition to a cleaner and more renewable energy future. The increased level of investment is needed to ensure safe and reliable electricity networks.

TLC have considered the impact on customers, many of whom are navigating significant challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis, when determining prices. Amongst other key factors, TLC’s prices also aim to assist New Zealand with decarbonisation (through lower off-peak prices) and retailers in developing innovative pricing options for customers.

KEY POINTS

• Simplification to pricing structure and pricing category codes.
• No change to Time of Use (TOU) times.
• For residential customers:
  • Alignment of peak delivery prices to long-run marginal cost (LRMC) estimates to $0.1150 (5%) and $0.1400 (14%) per kWh for controlled and uncontrolled installations, respectively
  • Decrease in off-peak delivery prices by 80% to $0.0050 per kWh
  • Decrease in shoulder delivery prices by 1%
  • Increase in daily delivery prices by 25 to 27%.
• TLC has seen an increase in pass-through costs, and the movement between variable and fixed prices is a continuation of our pricing strategy for our prices to reflect our costs (which are largely fixed, including transmission costs with the introduction of the new TPM in RY2024).
• The TLC Discount is forecast to total $6.0m plus GST (an increase of 15% from $5.2m for RY2025).
• Capacity and Dedicated Asset (CAPDED) distribution prices are increasing, on average, by 15%

Unmetered load (UML) daily delivery prices are increasing by 15%

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LLNW

Lakeland Network

15%

This year there will be a price increase of an average 15% for the residential and general customer groups from 1 April 2025. Whilst the average price increase is as stated above, there will be variations in the line charges change noted by load groups. The general customer groups have had their individual control period demand levels reassessed, these revised levels are in the schedules which will take effect from 1 April 2025. The schedule lists ICP’s that are subject to a CPD price, and therefore excludes all residential and some general ICP’s. Individual line charge customers have had their individual reassessment of consumption and demand levels completed, this has resulted in some increases and decreases to customers depending on their load profile and their demand levels co-incident with peak assessment periods.

Fixed Line Charges

In line with the Electricity Authority guidance papers all networks will recover the majority of the line charge increases through increases to the fixed daily charges.

Low Fixed Charge Regulations Phase Out

This year is the fourth year of a five-year phase out of the low fixed charge regulations, all networks will be increasing the daily fixed charge accordingly.

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MARL

Marlborough Lines Limited

Not advised

A Significant change in pricing this year is the mandating of Time Of Use price plans for any ICP in an area deemed non-remote by and MLL and has a communicating meter capable of recording data at half hourly intervals.

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MPOW

Mainpower New Zealand Ltd

18.5%

From 1 April 2025, MainPower’s network charges will be increasing. For each of the residential customer groups this will result in an increase of around 18.5% (around $19.31 per month) on the transmission and distribution portion of your power bill.

The increase in MainPower’s charges is due to rising operational costs, and the work that is required to ensure that MainPower can meet the increased demand for electricity due to population growth and adoption of new technologies eg EVs, industrial electrification and new appliances.

It is also due to the in the national grid operator, Transpower, increasing its MainPower transmission fees to $13.5m for the 2025-26 financial year (prior year $11.09m). MainPower is required by the Commerce Commission to pass these transmission charges through to consumers in our pricing. The Electricity Authority requires that these transmission charges be passed through as a fixed daily charge where possible.

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NELS

Nelson Electricity

20%

The pricing change impact varies depending on load group due to the Low Fixed Charge regulation changes and allocations due to load profiles. Overall, the pricing results in a 20% increase.

Loss factors remain unchanged.

Nelson Electricity is mindful of the impact of this pricing change to electricity consumers, but it is necessary to ensure Nelson Electricity can continue to invest in the network ensuring they have an appropriate level of resilience and security of supply. The price increase is also a result of increases in operating costs which includes transmission costs. Nelson Electricity recognizes that other electricity networks will also be increasing prices of similar magnitudes for similar reasons so will be working with other industry participants to ensure there is consistent messaging to consumers.

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NPOW

NorthPower Limited

14.7%

Northpower has recently set the prices which they will charge electricity retailers for 2025/2026. Compared to last year, these prices have increased on average by around 14.7%.

The above cost increases means that Northpower have had to increase charges to retailers, to ensure they continue to keep the network reliable and safe, and keep the lights on.

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ORON

Orion New Zealand Ltd

20%

The Commerce Commission's final decision on the Draft Price-quality Path (DPP4) means that Orion, along with other regulated lines companies, will be increasing prices starting from 1 April 2025. This decision, which was announced on 20 November last year, comes as part of a broader effort to ensure continued investment in the network to maintain safety, reliability, and resilience for the community.

Orion have made several changes to their pricing structure, which will be effective from 1 April 2025.

• Introduced a new Residential Standard User consumer group
• Introduced Two-way power flow consumer group - for both residential and small commercial
• Streetlighting is now a 100% fixed charge
• For general price categories Orion have made the provision to set different volumetric prices for controlled and uncontrolled by introducing new price categories for controlled and uncontrolled supply

Continuing the Government decision in December 2021 to phase out the low fixed charge regulation, the general fixed daily supply charge for Residential Low Users will increase from 60 cents to 75 cents.

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OTPO

OtagoNet Joint Venture

21.4%

In line with the Default Price Path (DPP) reset this year, OtagoNet Joint Venture (OJV) has received a major increase in allowable revenue. As a result of the reset OJV is to increase its line charges for all its customers by an average of 21.4% The new prices also include an increase in Transmission costs of 17.3%. Standard residential and general customer group fixed charges increase by 30% with 14% changes to the peak and shoulder variable prices. Low user customers have a 15 cent per day increase in their daily fixed charge and a 24.4% increase to the peak variable price and 16.4% to the shoulder variable price. In the case of the individually assessed line charge customers, their consumption and demand profiles have been updated, this has resulted in some increases and decreases to line charges depending on load profile.

Fixed Line Charges

In line with the Electricity Authority guidance papers all networks will recover the majority of the line charge increases through increases to the fixed daily charges.

Low Fixed Charge Regulations Phase Out

This year is the fourth year of a five-year phase out of the low fixed charge regulations, all networks will be increasing the daily fixed charge accordingly.

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POCO

Powerco Ltd

24.1%

The price increase is 24.1% compared to last year; this reflects changes to Powerco’s overall network revenue requirements comprising distribution, transmission, pass-through costs and other recoverable costs. The Commerce Commission sets what network and transmission companies are allowed to charge every five years in its Default Price Path (DPP) review. The latest review, which set the allowable revenue for FY26-30, has resulted in larger increases than previously seen across the regulated networks, including Transpower, and is the primary driver of the price increases between FY25 and FY26.

As shown below, the impact varies by region and consumer group.

Eastern

• Mass Market - 25.4%
• Commercial - 23.6%
• Industrial - 22.3%
• Overall - 24.5%

Western

• Mass Market - 25.0%
• Commercial - 24.9%
• Industrial - 16.4%
• Overall - 23.7%

Overall

• Mass Market - 25.2%
• Commercial - 24.0%
• Industrial - 19.9%
• Overall - 24.1%

Notable changes to Categories, Tariffs, and the Pricing Policy

• Powerco is introducing negative rate for Peak winter Distributed Generation on 05/06 Price Categories
• Peak and Off-peak tariffs for Summer and Winter seasons
• Low user Price Categories moving from 60c/day to 75c/day

kVA per day charge introduced for the W22, V22, and T22 Price Categories

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SCAN

Scanpower Ltd

6.5%

Prices have been set to secure a 6.5% increase in total annual line charge revenue while adapting to the Electricity Authority's regulatory expectations (as they relate to distribution pricing reform). The underlying drivers of this increase include:

• A 16.2% increase in transmission costs for the coming year, as recently notified by Transpower.

Increasing costs associated with preparing our network for the growth in demand decarbonisation of the New Zealand economy is going to bring.

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TASM

Network Tasman

7.9%

Network Tasman are increasing the overall prices they charge retailers in 2025-26. Lines charges will increase by approximately 7.9%. This increase is driven by changes to each of the individual components that make up Network Tasman's line charges, the key components being transmission and distribution costs. The transmission component of their lines charges is decreasing by approximately 3.8% to reflect lower transmission costs. Conversely, the (pre-discount) distribution component of their prices will increase by approximately 10% to account for higher costs in maintaining and operating their network. The net effect being the overall increase in Network Tasman lines charges of 7.9%. The effect of these changes will vary across price categories, depending on specific cost allocations (as outlined in the Network Tasman pricing methodology).

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TOPE

Top Energy Ltd

13.9%

The price changes have been made in accordance with the provisions of the 2026-2030 Default Price Path (DPP4) established by the Commerce Commission. The overall change in Top Energy prices is 13.9% before the posted discount. This consists of a 13.3% increase in distribution charges, including recoverable costs, and a 16.4% in passthrough charges, including Transmission. Loss factors have also been reviewed and revised up.

While the DDP4 regulations permit Top Energy an increase in Forecast Allowable Revenue of 25.6%, Top Energy recognizes the financial impact this would have on their community and have therefore decided to implement a smaller increase than what is allowed to ease this burden.

This year, Top Energy continues to phase out the Low Fixed Charge Tariff and increase revenue recovery from fixed charges. For Low User Residential Customers, the daily charge will increase 15c/day to 75c/day as permitted under the Electricity (Low Fixed Charge Tariff Option for Domestic Consumers) Amendment Regulations 2021. For Standard Residential, the daily charge will increase by 47.50c/day to 237.50c/day, and General User will increase by 60c/day to 300c/day. Residential and General User off-peak variable prices have also been reduced. The overall price change has then been achieved primarily by adjusting other variable charges.

This year there are no changes to the Pricing Categories or Price Codes.

Top Energy also takes this opportunity to advise that the network loss factors have been reviewed and revised. The Loss Code GLV is now 1.1267, up from 1.1069.

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TPCO

The Power Company Ltd

8.3%

The Power Company Limited (TPCL) Board of Directors has determined that there will be an increase to line prices effective from1 April 2025. The overall increase in line charges is 8.3% for residential and general customers; this incorporates an increase in Transmission costs of 18%. Whilst the average price increase is as stated above, there will be variations in the line charges change noted by load groups. This year in line with TPCL pricing strategy, they are passing through price increases mainly through the fixed charges and a small increase to the peak variable price. The Power Company Limited is posting its annual discount in the price schedules. The discount will still be discounted off line charges as an annual amount in September and in line with the discount methodology as in previous years. Individually assessed line charge customers have had their consumption and demand profiles updated. This has resulted in some increases and decreases to customers depending on their load profile and their demand levels co-incident with TPCL peak assessment periods.

Fixed Line Charges

In line with the Electricity Authority guidance papers all networks will recover the majority of the line charge increases through increases to the fixed daily charges.

Low Fixed Charge Regulations Phase Out

This year is the fourth year of a five-year phase out of the low fixed charge regulations, all networks will be increasing the daily fixed charge accordingly. In EIL and TPC there will still be a differential in the fixed charge price to signal the benefit of having controlled load.

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VECT & UNET

Vector Networks

21%

Vector’s electricity distribution prices are regulated by the Commerce Commission (Commission). The Commission sets the allowable revenues a distributor can earn every five years. This is referred to as the default price path (DPP). The fourth DPP (DPP4) commences 1 April 2025.

Vector’s prices (excluding transmission) that will apply from 1 April 2025 are increasing by a weighted average of 21%. This increase is driven by an increase in revenue allowed by the Commission when Vector transition from DPP3 to DPP4. The revenue increase is mainly driven by the increase in interest rates from when DPP3 was set by the Commission in November 2019.

Pricing structure changes

Vector will:

• adjust the low residential user fixed daily line charge (from $0.60 to $0.75 per day) to reflect the amended low user fixed charge regulations;
• introduce new commercial distributed energy resources (DER) price categories for approved commercial ICPs; and
• introduce an annual wash-up calculation for our transmission pricing

Transmission charges

Vector has split Transmission charges from its Lines charges. This means, rather than being bundled with its other charges, Transmission Charges appear as a separate line item on your bill. We have used forecasted demand to apportion Vector's Transmission Charges and from 1 April 2025 this rate will increase to $0.0302/kWh from the current $0.0190/kWh.

We’ve calculated this using the annual Transmission charge Vector has allocated to us and divided it by the forecasted electricity consumption for our customers from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. This enables us to create a single $/kWh value and to carry out a ‘wash-up’ at the end of the year if there are any imbalances. Vector will also calculate a wash up before September 2026.

While our methodology is designed to minimise wash-ups, we’ll contact customers who need to pay more or receive a credit shortly after we have been advised by Vector of their wash up calculations.

Commercial DER price categories

Vector will introduce the Commercial DER prices for low voltage, transformer and high voltage ICPs. Approved ICPs can benefit by nominating a minimum guaranteed capacity and maximum site capacity that may be made available with integration to Vector’s distributed energy resource management system (DERMS). For more details, contact us at Simply Energy and we will put you in touch with Vector who can provide more information and guidance on these new price categories.

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WAIK

WEL Networks

16%

With the adjustment in the Regulatory Weighted Average Cost of Capital from the Commerce Commission, along with increased Transmission Charges WEL network prices for FY26 have increased.

The overall average change in delivery prices is 16%. It is noted that the level of change an individual consumer will experience in the Line Charges component of their invoice depends on the Price Category Code they are assigned to in combination with their electricity usage patterns.

• Fixed daily charges for Low User price categories(1153, 1153C) have increased, as permitted by the phase-out of LFC regulations. Standard Residential fixed charges (1154, 1154C) have also increased. There have also been adjustments to the variable charges for residential price categories to meet the LFC pivot point and regulated returns.
• Fixed daily charges for General price categories (1200, 1200C) have increased. Variable charges remain the same.
• Nominated Capacity and Excess Demand charges for Large Customer price categories (1360, 1354, 1357) have increased.

Pricing for Streetlighting and Unmetered connections have increased inline with the overall price increase.

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WAIP

Waipa Networks Ltd

30.2%

These changes represent a 20% increase in target Distribution revenue and a 74% increase in Transmission costs. The Transmission cost is a result of increases for the two existing GXPs plus costs from the new Hautapu GXP being commissioned in April. Distribution and Transmission combined, the average increase for all customers is 30.2%.

There have been no changes to the structure of the pricing, however there have been updates to the following:

• Time of Use exemptions have been tightened and are now only available where no smart meter is installed.

Some Pricing Codes have been updated to clarify existing price applications.

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WATA

Network Waitaki

19.3%

To ensure Network Waitaki can continue to provide a safe and reliable supply of electricity, they have adjusted their pricing so that their business remains sustainable over the long term and allows them to invest in the future of the network. This year’s price adjustment is affected by various factors, including:

• Continued major investment projects being undertaken to upgrade their network to meet the current and future demands of their customers. Their planned system growth projects and focussed renewals programme will future proof the network to support the increasing electrification of homes and businesses as they electrify their vehicles, heating and other industrial processes as part of decarbonising the region.
• Cost inflation and market pressure leading to higher operating costs for their business.
• Pass-through cost: Network Waitaki’s pass-through charges have increased by 20.8% from Transpower and a 27.4% increase in rates and levies – resulting in an overall 19.9% increase.
• Regulatory pressure by the Electricity Authority on electricity distributors for faster reform of distribution network pricing to become more cost reflective, to ensure every electricity customer connected to the network contributes fairly to the cost of the service we provide.
• Phasing-out of Low Fixed Charge tariff regulations to support the transition to cost reflective distribution network pricing which will impact some residential customers.

As a result of these adjustments, Network Waitaki lines charges will increase 19.3% on average across all customers in their supply area.

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WPOW

Westpower Ltd

Not advised

There has been a continuation of changes to the process for calculating tariffs this year in line with the guidelines from the Electricity Authority (EA) for Distribution Pricing and the updating of consumer numbers and consumptions.

• All transmission charges are now recovered by way of fixed charges only.
• At the same time, fixed charges have also increased for distribution charges in line with the EA recommendation to move away from demand charges and in line with the approach to transmission pricing. This has resulted in increases to fixed charges across the full spectrum of line charges.
• Volume charges remain for distribution charges, and these have increased to assist with the recovery of significant increases in distribution costs. Inflation, short supply and market forces have dramatically increased Westpower’s operating costs and this will be reflected in charges right across the country.
• Westpower have also moved to allocate tariff charges closer to match operating costs as calculated by their Cost of Service Model developed to enable Westpower to get an accurate view of where costs are best allocated. This has the effect of rebalancing revenues from each tariff group in relation to previous year’s revenue.

The result produces an average increase in fixed charges for residential and small commercial consumers of 17.2% while industrial consumers’ fixed charges increase by an average of 17.4%.

The average increase in volume charges for residential consumers is 5.1% while industrial consumers’ volume charges increase by an average of 8.8%.

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