Online power sales launched today

Bargain retailer The Warehouse will start selling electricity this week in what is believed to be a world first.

From tomorrow, The Warehouse will offer electricity through Powershop, an online electricity store and wholly owned subsidiary of Meridian Energy.

Powershop is thought to be the world's first online electricity retailer. Its chief executive, Ari Sargent, said the store would revolutionise the way New Zealanders bought electricity with "real choice for the first time".

Electricity at Powershop was cheaper than traditional suppliers, he said. A $20 sign-up pack, including $50 of electricity, was available from Warehouse stores in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

The store offered electricity from a range of suppliers and allowed consumers to switch "with a click of a mouse", Mr Sargent said.

"You don't pay line charges or daily fixed charges like you do with a traditional retailer so if you don't use any electricity, you don't pay anything."

He told the Sunday Star-Times consumers could buy some or all their electricity in advance using a "buy me the cheapest" option, but meters could be read for those who preferred to pay after use.

* www.powershop.co.nz