Notes (for 2009 survey)
[ Last Updated 15 October 2008 ]
1. Effective unit charges (c/kWh) are calculated using the following formula: Total annual cost incurred by a 7,000 kWh consumer/7000.
2. The total annual cost is calculated by multiplying the fixed charge (FC) by 365, the number of days in the year, and adding this to the consumer's variable charge (VC) multiplied by 7000, the model consumers annual consumption.
3. In calculating the total annual cost it is assumed that the consumer pays on time and receives a prompt payment discount (PPD), if offered. Any direct debit discounts, if offered are not included.
4. Some retailers have a number of plans in each region. The plan used in calculating the total annual cost is the one that has the lowest total cost i.e. the model consumer is assumed to be on the optimal tariff for their level of consumption (7,000kWh).
5. GST is included in the charges calculated above.
6. In summary the Total annual cost incurred by a 7,000 kWh consumer is calculated as: (FCx365+VCx7000)(1-PPD)
7. Line charges do not include transmission charges.
8. Retail charges across networks will vary due to, among other things, differences in transmission and distribution charges. Comparisons of charges across networks should be made with caution.
9. Some retailers offer an additional dual fuel discount to consumers who purchase both electricity and gas from them. To recognise this effective charges are also calculated with the full dual fuel discount subtracted from the total annual cost incurred by a 7,000 kWh gas consumer. These charges are presented under the Additional Discounts heading. These charges represent the effective additional charge that an electricity consumer of these retailers would face in receiving gas from these retailers.
10. Mercury Energy offers only bundled electricity and gas in these areas. Residential gas consumers therefore automatically receive the duel fuel discount.
11. In April 2006 the line business NGC became Vector.
12. Where Wanganui Gas are the lines business, this refers to Gasnet which is a wholly owned, independent trading division of Wanganui Gas.
13. To 1 November 2003 gas measurement charges were bundled with network charges.
14. This figure represents the total of the above listed networks as at 15 August 2004. While all major domestic networks are covered in the survey, not all networks with domestic consumers are surveyed. Revised customer numbers for all areas are expected to be included in the next survey.
15. Weighted Average retail charges do not account for dual fuel discounts.
16. Mercury Energy offers a further 2% discount to customers who pay by direct debit. This discount is not included in the calculation of its tariffs.
17. Both Bay of Plenty Electricity and Wanganui Gas have introduced discounts for customers on both gas and electricity since the last survey. Bay of Plenty Electricity have introduced a specific Duel Fuel Tariff while Wanganui gas have introduced a Duel Fuel
18. A dash (i.e. -) indicates that data is missing and calculations are unable to be made. Efforts are being made to obtain missing data.
19. Although not measured in this survey, the cost of gas, transmission charges and metering services contribute to retail prices.
20. Between April 2005 and April 2006 Bay of Plenty Electricity customers on both gas and electricity received a discount on the electricity component of this bill. This discount of 15c per day has not been accounted for in this survey.
21. Lines companies Vector (excluding the old NGC network) and Powerco were subject to control under Part 4 of the Commerce Act from 1 October 2005.
22. Prices based on the Waitoki gas gate.
23. Powerco have introduced two new residential load groups during the half year to 1 March 2007. The increase in prices given in this schedule relate to small increases in Powerco's G11 load group, which have been offset by decreases in prices for smaller domestic users. Powerco is under Commerce Commission regulation.
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