TransAlta roasted at NGC AGM

By RICHARD BRADDELL

Shareholders who also happened to be customers joined the chorus of dissatisfaction with energy supplier TransAlta's performance at parent Natural Gas Corporation's annual meeting in Wellington yesterday.

NGC chairman Len Bleasel, who retires in February, said the company was "extremely concerned" about TransAlta's performance, which he put down to call-centre difficulties.

Though customer service problems were being remedied, call-centre problems continued as it grappled with training staff to use the SAP accounting system.

NGC's incoming managing director, John Barton, said German company SAP was working to improve what was regarded as a difficult interface.

Mr Barton, who has worked in the electricity industry in South Australia, replaces Richard Bentley next month.

Shareholders were also dissatisfied with TransAlta's rebalancing of its domestic electricity tariff, which one said had boosted fixed charges from 40c to 75c a day, a move that was less favourable to low-use customers.

Mr Bentley said TransAlta had to do something because the Government's electricity reforms required retailers to provide at least one package with a fixed charge of no more than 10 per cent of the total bill.

He said lines companies would be consulted to see what accommodation could be made.

The TransAlta brand will disappear next February and the entire NGC group will seek a new name.

Mr Bentley said the rebranding could cost about $1 million.