4 April 2025 - Mercury statement on the Energy Competition Task Force Work Package 2 (initiatives 2A, 2B and 2C)
Giving consumers more control over their energy consumption and costs is good for New Zealand. That’s because it helps us get the most out of the existing electricity assets and supports the right investments by households in new technologies (like solar and batteries). Ultimately that keeps costs lower for everyone.
We like that the Task Force’s work does this in a way that preserves our competitive retail market through recognising the importance of retailers having flexibility to create and offer plans that meet consumers' diverse needs.
We don’t think it’s a good idea to force retailers to pass through distribution costs in specific ways or mandate certain price plans as that would limit competition, innovation and our ability to offer a broad range of plans and products.
See Mercury’s submission on package 2A, 2B and 2C.
Mercury Chief Operating Officer – Customer - Craig Neustroski
21 March 2025 – Mercury statement on the invasive freshwater clam
We acknowledge the change to long-term management of the invasive freshwater clam, Corbicula fluminea, under the Freshwater Biosecurity Partnership Programme.
Mercury conducts regular maintenance checks of its hydro power stations along the Waikato River, including at Karāpiro where the clams are prevalent.
Our checks show the clams have not damaged our hydro stations, which continue to operate normally, generating renewable energy for the country.
We continue to follow the Check, Clean, Dry procedure recommended by the Ministry for Primary Industries for decontamination of any gear and equipment that has been used in the Waikato River to prevent the spread of golden clams.
We are committed to working with the Freshwater Biosecurity Partnership Programme, Biosecurity NZ and Waikato River iwi to share information and expertise so we can monitor and track the clam.
Mercury Head of Operations – Generation - Matt Kedian
6 March 2025 – Mercury statement on supporting customers in hardship
We want anyone who is struggling to get in touch with us, as we have a range of ways we can help.
Supporting customers in hardship is one of our biggest priorities, and we have a specialised team who are entirely dedicated to this. The team work very closely with community to make sure that the solutions we’re delivering are tailored and lasting for these people.
In addition to working with community we also provide direct financial support through things like bill credits, tailored payment solutions and for our customers who we know are doing it really tough, we have excluded them from this increase and frozen their prices.
We also support several ERANZ programmes including a credit scheme for those most affected by the low fixed user charge tariff phase out. Since 2024 we’ve applied over 3,500 credits worth about $445,000 in total to low use customers who need help during the phase out. Where this is not enough, or where a customer is not eligible, our dedicated Here to Help team will apply credits or additional support as needed.
As a result of all this work, we’ve had no post-pay credit related disconnections for customers in hardship since June 2024 and we’re continuing to make progress in this space.
Looking beyond our own customers, we also provide hedges to social retailers (Nau Mai Rā and Toast Electric) at rates that enable them to deliver on their goal of eliminating energy hardship, which is a goal we share.
Mercury Chief Operating Officer – Customer - Craig Neustroski
3 March 2025 – Mercury statement on non-discrimination measures
We are keen to work with the Taskforce so that we’re maximising benefits for consumers while keeping red tape and compliance costs down.
New Zealand is one of the most competitive markets in the world and we all want to see that continue – the 40 plus retailers we currently compete with keep us sharp. That includes pricing any retailer who comes through our doors - in providing our offers we consider scale, length of deal and shape among other factors.
We agree that making risk management options more easily available is key to keeping competition strong. That’s good for independent generators and retailers because it gives them confidence they are getting the best deal and manage their risks. Ultimately, that is good for households and businesses all around New Zealand. The devil is always in the detail and the team are still working through whether this proposal enables this and supports more generation being built.
Alongside the Taskforce’s work, it’s critical we maintain a laser focus on security of supply and delivering more renewable energy infrastructure, which is where we can help get real traction electrification and economic growth. That includes delivering on the $1 billion investment we’ve committed to new renewables, and the three renewable builds we currently have underway.
Mercury Executive GM Wholesale - Tim Thompson
17 February 2025 - Mercury statement on price rises
From April, the overall electricity bill increase for Mercury residential customers will be approximately 9.7% on average. This primarily reflects increases in lines and transmission charges due to rising costs and level of investment in infrastructure required, in line with the Commerce Commission’s price path re-set for the next 5 year period. It also reflects the rise in the cost of wholesale electricity and other costs.
This is an important contribution to a reliable, safe and secure electricity now and in the future.
We acknowledge the impact this will have and encourage anyone who is struggling should get in touch with us, as we have a range of ways we can help.
We’ve excluded customers who are doing it really tough from this increase and frozen their prices. We also provide direct financial support through things like bill credits, tailored payment solutions and a credit for those most affected by the low fixed user charge tariff phase out, and our dedicated team work with community to ensure solutions are tailored and long-lasting.
As a result of all this work, we’ve had no post-pay credit related disconnections for customers in hardship since June 2024 and we’re continuing to make progress in this space.
Looking beyond our own customers, we also provide hedges to social retailers (Nau Mai Rā and Toast Electric) at rates that enable them to deliver on their goal of eliminating energy hardship, which is a goal we share.
Mercury Chief Operating Officer – Customer - Craig Neustroski
12 February 2025 – Mercury statement on exploring Huntly Power Station options to enhance energy security
Mercury is pleased to be working with the sector on potential solutions that will take us a significant step towards helping address security of supply challenges.
For our largely renewable electricity system to deliver on the big opportunity – shifting our broader energy system to more renewables – the system needs to be secure and affordable to give others the confidence to switch to electricity.
Near term, there are challenges to security of supply, including a shortage in domestic natural gas and prolonged dry weather leading to lower hydro lake levels. This means that thermal fuel is likely to continue to play a supporting role, particularly in dry years where our hydro lakes are low.
Over the medium term, we know we need to work on improving security of supply so we can continue to bring on more intermittent renewables alongside increasingly volatile weather and growing demand.
We’ve been working with Genesis and others to explore Huntly Power Station’s role in ensuring we’re able to keep powering New Zealand around the clock as we add more renewables. The commercial structure is being worked through, including key terms such as pricing and cost allocation.
This is a complex challenge and will require lots of different solutions. There’s a range of other activity underway to help deliver secure and affordable electricity, such as building more generation quickly. At Mercury, we have committed over $1 billion to new renewable projects in the past two years and have three projects currently underway, with more in the pipeline.
Mercury Chief Executive - Stew Hamilton
8 January 2025 – Mercury statement on Karāpiro Hydro Dam video (updated)
Mercury is aware of an online video showing a person jumping from the Karāpiro Hydro Dam into the Waikato River near the hydro station.
The company wanted to be clear that it was irresponsible to promote the jump as anything other than incredibly dangerous.
Mercury does not object to people trying extreme sports, but it’s crucial for people to understand that a working hydro dam can be a dangerous environment, posing significant and often unpredictable risks to safety. It is not a place for recreation.
Mercury has reported the incident to police and made a request to an online platform to remove the video.
It has also served a trespass notice on the person who made the jump, preventing the person from visiting the hydro dam again.
A reminder that the Waikato Regional Council’s Dam Safety Zones prohibit swimming, diving and boating within 200m of a hydro dam structure.
Mercury Executive GM - Generation (Acting) - Tomas Toomata