Powershop brings power to the people

A company that has revolutionised the way people buy electricity is now offering its services to Wairarapa customers.
Internet power retailer Powershop.co.nz, the world's first electricity store, this week began selling to customers in Wairarapa the first region outside the four main centres to be selected.
Powershop customers buy electricity in advance from a range of products in the online shop, so they know in advance how much they are paying for power, chief executive Ari Sargeant said.
He wanted Wairarapa to be "first in the queue" of the provinces, as the company's call centre is on the fourth floor of the Departmental Buildings in Masterton.
Call centre staff came from towns throughout Wairarapa and available office space allowed for expansion for up to 60 operators as the enterprise grew.
He was rapt to provide access to a region he called "home territory" and said being able to budget electricity spending is crucial now more than ever.
"Most New Zealanders are paying too much for their power," he said.
"Wairarapa is our home turf, so we've made sure Wairarapa people are the first outside the big cities to get access to the Powershop revolution. Wairarapa has some of the highest electricity prices in the country, and we're determined to find ways to reduce these."
He said while Powershop wasn't in direct competition with the country's big players rather, it offered an "alternative medium" the age of being tied to a single power company was over.
"For the first time consumers can buy their power in the same way as they buy groceries. Powershop offers real choice and the ability to compare products, just like in a supermarket."
The company also helped consumers reduce consumption by allowing them to actively monitor and manage their use.
"At Powershop you can track how much power you are using every day. That means you can take steps to use less power and see what works and what doesn't immediately.
"The internet has transformed the way we shop for everything from music to airfares and now we are harnessing the power of online shopping to radically shake up the electricity market. For the first time we are giving the power back to electricity consumers."
n To find out more about how Powershop works visit www.powershop.co.nz and watch the online demonstration.