Otago households will have to wear big increases in electricity lines charges in the next five years, but the price rises will not be quite as steep as Aurora Energy had wanted. Aurora will be allowed to recover a maximum spend of $563.4million over five years — $45.9million less than the company had proposed. Aurora Energy chief executive Richard Fletcher greeted the Commerce Commission’s decision cautiously, saying there were aspects that were positive. Lines charges increased this month and there would not be further increases this year. The commission estimated monthly lines charges for residential customers would increase by between $32 and $51 by 2026, depending on where they lived.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 31, 2021 15:22 UTC