Beat last year's bill - and save

Thousands of power users could save money on winter power bills - if they use less electricity than last year.

Mercury Energy, the retail arm of state-owned generator Mighty River Power, launched its "Beat Your Bill" campaign yesterday.

It rewards residential and small commercial customers who conserve electricity by offering a rebate of 10c per unit of electricity saved.

On a $100 power account, the scheme means that a 10 per cent saving will see $16 come off the bill.

Savings will be measured against use in 2002.

Mercury has about 280,000 customers. It supplies about 80 per cent of homes in Auckland.