MEDIA RELEASE
19/10/2005
Grey Power Appeal to the Minister of Energy
Grey Power national president, Graham Stairmand has today voiced concerns regarding the Electricity companies. "It is
not surprising that Meridian Energy is poised to post a profit of $218 million as it treats its customers as cash cows ,
raising the price to consumers without any justification . All the customer receives is a letter advising that the price
will be increased on a certain date.
There is no redress for the consumer as the Minister of Energy and the Electricity Commission have stoically refused to
support the formation of a consumer advocacy group which could contest these price rises .
However Meridian is not alone in its price gouging attitude as the other three power companies Mighty River , Genesis
and Transpower will contribute to a combined $550 million profit
That these companies can make such large profits clearly illustrates that there is no effective competition in the
wholesale and retail markets and in fact it is entirely possible that with the system of pricing that the market can be
manipulated to the benefit of the suppliers.
It is hoped that unlike previous Ministers the new Minister of Energy will take some positive action to curb these
record profits which are severely affecting all households."
ENDS