KEY POINTS:
The Government wants feedback on how electricity should be supplied to remote rural users after 2013.
Energy Minister David Parker said yesterday that under the Electricity Act, the obligation for lines companies to continue to supply power to properties that were connected on April 1, 1993, ends on March 31, 2013.
"We want consumers to continue to have access to an electricity supply that is efficient, fair, reliable and delivered in an environmentally sustainable manner," Mr Parker said. "This review is to make sure we have arrangements in place so the lights stay on for rural electricity users."
The sunset clause in the Electricity Act was mainly relevant to remote rural consumers whose lines could be expensive to maintain and may be considered uneconomic by lines companies, he said.
Customers connected after April 1993 are not affected.
Mr Parker has issued discussion papers seeking feedback on options, including continuing supply obligations with no expiry date, extending a transition period beyond 2013, and lines companies providing assistance to consumers to manage transitions to alternate systems.
"We've decided against a 'do nothing' option, which would prolong the uncertainty currently faced by many rural customers."
Submissions on the paper, which can be found on www.med.govt.nz/electricity/2013review, close on September 28.
- NZPA
