Q&A - Section 1: Eligibility criteria and dollar amount
Question
Answer
What exactly is a Pricing Discount?
A pricing discount is a discount or a reduction to Northpower’s distribution prices.
The savings from the price reduction are paid out once a year as a lump sum, which is credited to your electricity bill in November or December 2023.
Who qualifies for the discount?
Customers who are signed up with an electricity retailer as at the morning of Wednesday 1 November 2023 at an active ICP supplied from the Northpower electricity network, with usage of 1kWh or more between 1 October 2022 and 30 September 2023.
How much will I receive?
The amount of the credit to each eligible ICP varies depending on which usage band they are in:
1kWh to 2,000kWh = $92.65 + GST = $106.55
2,001kWh or more = $248.18 + GST = $285.41
The discount is per ICP, so customers who have more than one ICP on the Northpower network may receive a discount for each eligible ICP.
What qualifies as an “eligible ICP”?
An ICP which is supplied from the Northpower electricity network with a Registry status of “Connected” (Active) on the morning of Wednesday 1st November 2023 and which has a current customer in an electricity retailer’s billing system.
Is my premises on the Northpower network?
If your premises are located in the Whangarei District or the Kaipara District you are likely to be supplied from the Northpower electricity network. Northpower ICPs have a network code of “NR”, for example ICP 0000543210NR45E.
Where do I find my ICP number?
Your ICP number has 15 characters, and, on the Northpower network, they start with “0000”. It should be on the electricity bill which you receive from your electricity retailer. If you cannot find your ICP number, we can look it up for you.
I moved out of a property last week, so can I still receive a credit?
Only if you were the current customer of an electricity retailer at an ICP supplied from the Northpower network at on Wednesday 1st November 2023 and consumed 1kWh in the period from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023.
Q&A – Section 2: Payment method
Question
Answer
How will I receive the credit?
The credit will appear as a line item on your electricity bill from your retailer in November or December 2023 with a description of “Northpower Discount”.
If you have switched retailers near the end of October 2023, your credit might be delayed while your previous retailer returns it to us and then we pay it to your new retailer.
Can I receive the credit as a cheque like they get in Auckland, please?
No. As your primary relationship for your electricity is with your retailer, we pay the discount amount via your retailer to ensure it gets to the right person.
My account with my retailer is already in credit so this will just increase the credit
We suggest discussing this with your retailer. This can be used to offset future electricity bills, or the retailer may be able to issue a credit.
I have just switched retailers, so will I miss out on the credit?
No, but your credit may be delayed while your credit is sent back to us by your old retailer and then we send it to your new retailer.
I have just received an electricity account from my retailer and there is no credit showing.
Retailers should be crediting it to your bill in November or December, so if you were eligible and it doesn’t show up on your December bill (if you receive it via post, it might not arrive until early January) let us know and we can track it down.
My premises has a prepay meter. How do I receive the credit?
We understand that these retailers will credit your prepay account, but if you don’t see it check with your retailer in the first instance and then talk to us.
Q&A – Section 3: Questions relating to rental properties, retirement villages and similar
Question
Answer
I own a rental property. How can I receive the Northpower credit instead of the tenants?
You can’t, as the credit is for electricity customers, not for landlords. The credits are applied to the account of the current customer signed up to the ICP with an electricity retailer on Wednesday 1 November 2023.
I pay for my electricity via my retirement village manager or body corporate manager. How will I receive my credit?
Your retirement village manager or body corporate manager is likely to have received your credit as the electricity account will be in their name. You should discuss this with them.
Some retirement villages have one connection to the Northpower network, and then use “check meters” to determine how much electricity each unit has used and charge each resident for the electricity they have used. Because these retirement villages only have one connection to the Northpower network, they only receive one discount.
I am in a flatting situation and the electricity account is in one flatmate’s name. How do I receive my share of the credit?
The credit technically belongs to the person whose name the electricity account is in, but you may wish to discuss it with them!
