Alpine Energy

Acessibility Quick Links

Site Search form

Pricing explained

We know electricity costs matter. Alpine Energy is your local, community-owned lines company. We take electricity from the national grid and deliver it safely to 34,000 homes, farms, and businesses across South Canterbury. We maintain a resilient network, so power is there when you need it - managing costs and investing in the network our community counts on now and in the future.

What am I paying for?

Your lines charges cover the costs for us to invest in, operate, and maintain the network. This includes:

  • Maintaining & upgrading the network - maintaining and replacing poles, lines, and equipment to maintain reliability.
  • Strengthening the network - making the network more resilient to severe weather and unexpected disruptions, while supporting future growth.
  • Fixing faults fast - crews responding quickly to restore power after storms, accidents, or equipment failures.
  • Clearing vegetation - trimming and removing trees near lines to reduce outages and protect public safety.
  • Smart technology - maintaining and upgrading our digital systems, such as control room technology, network mapping, and cyber security.
  • Transmission and other charges -for moving electricity across New Zealand via Transpower’s national grid, along with other costs like rates and industry levies.

Understanding your lines charges

We know electricity pricing can seem complicated, so here’s our simple overview:

  • We review our delivery prices (lines charges) once a year.
  • The Commerce Commission sets regulations and limits on what we can charge, making sure lines charges are fair.
  • The total amount is set each year for five-year periods- these prices apply for year two of the 2026-2030 period.
  • This year’s increase for the average home is around 5% or $5 per month - with similar increases expected over the next three years. Last year the average increase was $16 per month.
  • We set the lines charges, but your retailer applies them to your bill. Your total may vary based on your electricity use and how your retailer packages our charges.

Understanding your power bill

Understanding your power bill shouldn’t be hard. Here's what you’re paying for, how charges are made up, and where to find key details on your bill so you feel confident reading it.

Your power bill comes from your electricity retailer, but several organisations and services contribute to the costs bundled into that one bill:

  • How charges are shown on your bill

    Every bill includes:

    Fixed (daily) charge
    A set daily amount that covers the fixed costs of delivering electricity - including transmission charges from Transpower and building and maintaining the local network.

    Variable charge
    This depends on how much electricity you use (measured in kWh).

Where to find key info on your bill

What is an ICP number?

Your Installation Control Point (ICP) number is a unique 15-digit identifier for your property’s electricity connection.
You’ll see it near your address or account details on your bill. You may need it when:

  • Switching electricity retailers
  • Contacting support about your connection
  • Understanding which connection (if you have more than one) the charges relate to
  • If you can’t find it, ask your retailer - they can confirm it for you. Or search your address online using the Electricity Authority’s “Your meter”

Why bills can look different from one home to the next

Even neighbouring homes with similar usage can have different bills because:

  • Retailers may group or display lines charges differently based on your contract with them.
  • Your price category (standard, time-of-use, controlled load, low-user) affects how charges apply.
  • You might have solar injection credits on your account.
  • Questions about your billing, pricing plans or connections and disconnections?
    Contact your electricity retailer directly.
  • Questions about your local network, outages, or connections?
    Contact Alpine Energy — we maintain the network that delivers your electricity across South Canterbury.

Who to contact

  • Questions about your billing, pricing plans or connections and disconnections?
    Contact your electricity retailer directly.
  • Questions about your local network, outages, or connections?
    Contact Alpine Energy - we maintain the network that delivers your electricity across South Canterbury.

Helpful tips & support

If you have questions about your lines charges or how these changes affect your bill, we’re here to support you:

  • Lines charge questions: mailbox@alpineenergy.co.nz (put “Pricing” in the subject line)
  • Understanding your bill or payment plans: contact your electricity retailer (who you pay your power bill to)
  • Save money & energy:
  • Compare retailers: www.powerswitch.org.nz
  • Energy-saving tips: www.eeca.govt.nzor call 0800 358 676
  • Payment help & budgeting: www.erganz.org.nz