Press Releases for current year

PRESS RELEASE Friday 17 April 2009

WEL Networks Pays out $22.8 Million in Discounts

Starting from next week, WEL Networks customers will receive a discount on their electricity accounts.

In total, 81,000 customers within the WEL Networks distribution area will receive a total of $22.88 million in rebates. Although discounts vary greatly, an average customer will receive a $275.00 refund.

Despite the economic downturn, WEL Networks has maintained the discount at the same level paid out in 2008.

WEL Networks Chief Executive Dr Julian Elder says "including this year's discount, over the past seven years WEL Networks has returned over $113 million in line-charge discounts to our customers".

"Particularly during these tough economic times, it's a pleasure to be able to make such a significant contribution to households, businesses and community groups throughout the Waikato region".

The discount is applied to each connection within the traditional WEL Networks area in the Waikato and is paid to the occupier at that address as at 5.00pm on 31 March 2009.

The discount will be shown on a customer's electricity account, sent to them by their electricity retailer. The level of discount will depend on how much electricity was consumed by the customer during the past twelve months.

Dr Elder says a maximum discount level is set to ensure a fair rebate goes to all customers.

"There has always been an upper limit on the level of discount paid out to commercial users, which is $1856.00 this year. Setting this cap ensures a more equitable distribution of the discount to all customer groups," explains Dr Elder.

Dr Elder warns customers that next year's discount is likely to be lower than 2009 and 2008 levels, due to the recession effecting customers' electricity usage and the significant reduction in new connections.

"Although WEL Networks can't predict exact numbers at this point, we do want to caution customers that the recession will adversely impact our revenues. This is likely to translate into lower customer discounts in 2010".

WEL Networks customers wanting further information about their discount can contact the company by:

Calling: 0800 434 726
Emailing: connect@wel.co.nz
Writing: Discount Enquiries, WEL Networks, PO BOX 925, Hamilton 3240.

All values quoted in this press release include GST.

.....this year WEL Networks is paying an average discount of $275.00.

Click here for the 2009 brochure.

GREAT NEWS. WE'RE GIVING YOU 22.87M IN DISCOUNTS!

Click here for the 2008 advertorial.

WEL NETWORKS TO PAY OUT $22.2 MILLION IN DISCOUNTS

23 April 2007

WEL Networks customers are about to receive another record discount on their electricity account. It will be paid by WEL Networks to all customers connected to the Waikato region of our network from mid April 2007.
The level of the discount will depend on how much electricity is consumed but the average customer will receive a discount of $272. There has always been an upper limit on the level of discount paid out. Last year it was $837. This year the limit will be raised to $1687. Commercial users will be pleased with this change which ensures a more equitable distribution of the discount to all customers groups.
For the average residential customer the discount is equivalent to a 39% reduction in line charges or about 8 weeks free power.
“This is once again a further increase on last year” says WEL Networks Chief Executive Mike Underhill. “We have now increased the discount for the last four years so we are delighted to be able to be making such a significant contribution to the households, businesses and community groups throughout the Waikato”. Over the past 5 years a total $81.4 million in line-charge discounts has been returned to WEL customers.

“WEL is pleased to be able to bring price reductions via its discount” said Mr. Underhill.
The discount scheme was introduced in 2003 in response to the newly elected WEL Energy Trust asking the company to examine how it could lower its prices.
Mr. Underhill stated “that the discount is related to energy use which will vary from customer to customer but the average residential customer will receive $272”.
The discount will be shown on individual electricity account. The discount is applied to each connection within the traditional WEL Networks area in the Waikato and is paid to the occupier at that address as at 5.00pm at 31 March 2007.
Note all values shown include GST.

For further information contact:
Call WEL on 0800 434 726
Email: connect@wel.co.nz
Write to Discount Enquiries, WEL Networks, P O Box 925, Hamilton

WEL area map

FURTHER INCREASE IN CUSTOMER DISCOUNT

29 September 2006

WEL Networks is pleased to announce a further increase in its line price discount
WEL will payout a record discount of approximately $22.2 million for the 2006/07 year
This increase will mean that the average residential customer will receive a discount of approximately $284
There has always been an upper limit, or cap, on the level of discount paid out. Last year it was $837. This year the cap will be raised to $1687 to ensure a more equitable distribution of the discount to all of our customer groups
The discount has been a feature of WEL's line pricing since the WEL Energy Trust elections in 2002 where a majority of Trustees were elected on the ticket of reducing electricity prices.
The payment of this discount will result in a total of $81.5 million being paid out since the scheme commenced in 2003
Over its life the discount has proved to be a practical and effective way of reducing WEL's line prices

The discount will apply to all qualifying customers connected to WEL's network in the Waikato at 5.00 p.m. on 31 March 2007. The discount will be based on the metered supply at that address from 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007. As always, the discount will be refunded to customers via their power accounts in the three month period from April through June 2007.

WEL Networks develops and maintains the physical network (lines, poles, cables, transformers etc.) that delivers electricity to your home or business. It does not sell electricity to customers. WEL bills electrical retailers such as Genesis, Mighty River Power and Trustpower for providing line services in the Waikato. These retailers include WEL's line charges in the power accounts to their customers.

As well as working hard to ensure that customer line charges are fair and reasonable, WEL is investing heavily in making its network very reliable. Our reliability is now among the best in the country.

*All figures include GST

WEL Networks announces 31% increase in discount and NEW record!

7 March 2006

WEL Networks customers are about to receive the biggest ever discount to be paid by WEL Networks since the power discount scheme was introduced 4 years ago.

The discount, an average of $266 per customer represents a $59 increase over last year when the average was $207. The maximum discount payable is $837 - up from $517 last year. $20.9 million will be distributed to the community via the discount an increase of 31% over last year, bringing the total paid over the last 4 years to $59.3 million.

"This is by far the biggest payout and is a significant increase on last year" says WEL Networks Chief Executive Mike Underhill. "We have now increased the discount for the last three years so we are delighted to be able to be making such a significant contribution to the households and businesses we serve and the community as a whole".

"WEL is proud to be able to bring price reductions via its discount at a time wh

en prices are rising in all other areas of electricity supply" said Mr. Underhill.

The discount scheme was introduced in 2003 in response to the newly elected WEL Energy Trust asking the company to examine how it could lower its prices.

Mr. Underhill stated "that the discount is related to energy use which will vary from customer to customer. $266 represents the average that will be paid.

The discount will be shown on the individual electricity account. The discount is applied to each connection within the traditional WEL Networks area and is paid to the occupier at that address as at 31 March 2006."

» Find out more about what this discount means for customers, and some facts and figures about the discount

Last updated: Thursday, 1 April 2010