Power bills rise 6.8% despite wholesale electricity prices falling
Household and small business power bills rose 6.8% in the first half of 2026 as wholesale prices fell sharply, prompting political pressure on generators to cut retail prices.
Electricity bills for households and small businesses increased by an average of 6.8% in the first half of 2026, with increases driven mostly by higher lines charges. This rise comes despite wholesale electricity prices falling significantly, with forward prices dropping from $179 per megawatt-hour in February to $116 per megawatt-hour by July. The gap between falling wholesale costs and rising retail prices has prompted the Energy Minister to pressure electricity companies to pass savings through to customers.
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What outlets are saying
NZ Herald
Energy Minister Simeon Brown puts heat on electricity companies to cut power costs in line with big falls in forward prices
2027 forward prices fell from $179/MWh in February to $116/MWh by July.
BusinessDesk
Power prices rise 6.8% as pressure grows for cuts
Electricity prices for households and small businesses rose an average 6.8% in the first half of 2026, even as wholesale prices fell sharply, according to new Electricity Authority data. The increase follows an average 8% rise in 2025 and comes…
NZ Herald
Power bills rose 6.8% on average for households and small businesses in first half of 2026
About 22% of households had no change in their power bills.
Newstalk ZB
Power bills rose 6.8% on average for households and small businesses in first half of 2026
Power bills across all New Zealand households and small businesses increased on average by 6.8% in the first half of 2026, driven mostly by higher lines charges, the Electricity Authority says.