The electricity lines company is owned, through the Waitaki Power Trust, by the 12,150 consumers connected to its electricity distribution network between Shag Point, the Waitaki River and inland to the Hakataramea Valley and Ohau.
Since 2000, the company has paid out annual surpluses as a discount on electricity accounts. This year's $2.3 million compared with $2.19 million last year, taking the total payout to almost $28 million. Details of the discounts will appear on either March or April electricity accounts under the line ''Network Waitaki Discount''.
Discounts vary according to the power usage category customers fall into. The bulk of residential customers will receive between $109 and $165.80. Those in domestic lower user category receive the lowest discount but they also pay a lower rate during the year and, in total with the discount, still pay less than those who get the higher discount.
Larger power users such as farmers and companies receive higher discounts.
Network Waitaki chairwoman Clare Kearney said the company had worked hard to deliver a discount that was 5% more than last year.
''At a time when many families in the Waitaki district are facing uncertainty, Network Waitaki is pleased that it can make this contribution to consumers,'' she said.
Waitaki Power Trust chairwoman Dr Helen Brookes said the trust was committed to maintaining discounts to electricity consumers in the district. Network Waitaki's line charges were in the lowest quarter of any lines company in New Zealand, and did not include the annual discount.
Further information on the discounts was available from Network Waitaki and its website.
