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PRICE INFORMATION
Learn more about what makes up your electricity charges, why prices change, and how to understand your bill.
WHY DO PRICES CHANGE?
Electricity has a complex journey before it reaches your home — from generation at power stations through to national transmission, local lines, and metering. The cost of building, maintaining, and upgrading this infrastructure changes over time, and these shifts flow through into the price you pay.
WHAT DOES AN ELECTRICITY BILL PAY FOR?
CHANGES TO LOW USER PLANS
Since April 2022, the Government, with support from the electricity sector, has been gradually removing the Low Fixed Charge Tariff. This change aims to create a fairer, more equitable system in the long-term. Learn more about the low user phase-out.
If you’re struggling to keep on top of your bills, we’re here to help. We'll work with you to find the right payment solution so that you can focus on what matters most to you. Check out ways we can help.
Understanding your Bill charges
In the electricity section of your bill, you can view a breakdown of how your different charge types are calculated based on your prices, usage, and days in your billing period.
The actual electricity you’ve used. This is calculated by multiplying each unit you’ve used (kWh) by your variable price.
Tip: Variable charges depend on the type of meter tariff/s you have at your property e.g. Anytime or Controlled.
Find out more about the types of electricity meter tariff.
A fixed amount each day, no matter how much electricity you use. This is calculated by multiplying your daily price (cents) by the number of days in your billing period.
Depending on when you receive your bill, you may see your new prices on your first bill after the effective date. As your prices change, you may see two sets of charges; charges at your old price, and charges at your new price. After this, your bill will appear as normal.
HAVE A QUESTION?
Some of our fixed-term agreements have set prices for the term of the agreement, and some of them allow for prices to be changed with 30 days' notice. If you’ve received a price change notification, your pricing is subject to change with 30 days' notice. For more information, please refer to your Offer Terms sent to you at the start of your fixed-term agreement, and our General Terms.
If Mercury were to absorb these costs, it would impact the amount we can put towards investment in new renewable electricity generation which is key for New Zealand's future as people use more renewable electricity in their daily lives.
We're investing $1 billion in three major renewable projects which are all due to begin generating this year. They include Ngā Tamariki Geothermal Station expansion, Kaiwera Downs 2, and Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm. We also have plans to invest $590 million in hydro refurbishment over the next decade.
We reinvested 56% of our Financial Year 2025 earnings into new and existing renewable assets. These investments are making a meaningful difference to Aotearoa's energy future.
