Change to standard or low user

Your best option depends on the amount of electricity you use at your primary residence. You can't have the low user option for other premises on your account, like a holiday home, a sleepout, or a shed.

Low User option

If you use less than 8000 units a year at your primary residence (and not, for example, a holiday home), the Low User option may be best for you. This rises to 9000 units in parts of the lower South Island.

Low user plans have:

• a low daily fixed charge which is capped by government regulations,
• a higher variable charge for each unit of electricity you use compared to customers on a standard plan.

Standard User option

If you use more electricity, a Standard User option may be better.

You typically pay:

• a higher daily rate than a low user,
• a slightly lower rate for each unit of electricity you use. Find out how many units you used in the past year.

Check your Online Tools, your bills, or call us.

The Minister of Energy has made exemptions for homes with certain kinds of power supply on a number of power networks.

Marlborough Lines network

You can’t have a Low User option if you’re on the Marlborough Lines network and your home:

• is on 3-phase supply; or
• has a supply that’s greater than 15kVA; or
• is in a remote area.

Marlborough Lines Company Notice of Exemption - 3-phase supply and 15 kVa

Alpine Energy network

You can’t have a Low User option if you’re on the Alpine Energy network and your home:

• is on 3-phase supply; or
• has a supply that’s greater than 15kVA.

Alpine Energy Notice of Exemption  

Network Waitaki 

You can’t have a Low User option if you’re on the Network Waitaki network and your home:

• is on 3-phase supply; or
• has a supply that's greater-than 15kVA 

Network Waitaki Notice of Exemption