National has promised to enact a nine-point energy plan if re-elected in November, aiming to bring prices down, boost competition in the sector, and give Kiwis more choice.
Under the plan, which the party called “Electrify NZ 2.0”, developers, major users, and investors would be able to build transmission and recover costs from those who use it.
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To make connections faster and cheaper, it would allow New Zealanders to choose an accredited contractor.
Homes and businesses using solar power would be able to sell energy to any power company, not just the one they buy from.
National would open the backup power market to address the dry year problem.
The party promised to tackle lines charges by reviewing the rules that set them to make necessary changes. It would also require residential and small business solar connections to be approved within two working days.
Affordability as a core objective for the Electricity Authority would be written into law.
National promised to cut more red tape around renewables, so wind, solar, and hydro could be built faster.
A Home Energy Fund would be launched to give New Zealanders low-interest, long-term loans to invest in their own power, cut their bills, and enable plug-in solar.
AI data centres would have to bring their own new, firmed power.
"Secure, affordable power is key to keeping homes warm, keeping businesses competitive, and supporting the growth that creates jobs and lifts wages," National Energy spokesperson Simeon Brown said.
He said National's plan would deliver “more supply, more competition, and more choice for households and businesses, to help make power more affordable".
Labour called the plan an "absolute fizzer", describing it as "more reviews, more deregulation and more promises to fix things later".
Energy spokesperson Megan Woods said: "National has had three years to deliver, and power bills are still hurting households.
“After three years in Government, Simeon Brown should be delivering cheaper electricity, not another grab-bag of ideas and excuses.
“This is not a plan to bring power bills down. It’s an admission National hasn’t got a clue how to do it."
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