Electricity complaints investigations up 28pc

The Electricity Complaints Commission had a 28 per cent rise in the number of investigations it conducted during its second year of operation.

A report released at the commission's annual meeting in Wellington yesterday said 1199 complaints from electricity customers were referred to affiliated retailers and lines companies.

Commissioner Judi Jones said the actual number of complaints had decreased from the previous year, but more complex individual cases accounted for the rise in the number investigated.

The report outlines examples of cases resolved during the year. In one instance a customer moved to a property and chose to supply electricity readings by phone, rather than give a key to the power company.

Seven months later, a meter reader visited while the resident was home and was able to get a reading, but discovered the meter had been tampered with.

The resident was not blamed, but received a repair bill of $465, with another $200 for the power used.

The commission found it was impossible to prove a suggestion that the damage could have been caused by a previous resident.

But after negotiations, the company agreed to waive a $168 contractor's fee and allowed weekly repayments for the outstanding amount.

Commission chairwoman Alison Paterson said the retailer-funded organisation was now close to 100 per cent membership.

Two companies had indicated they would join soon, leaving only Bay of Plenty Electricity and King Country Energy left.

- NZPA