Electricity generator and retailer King Country Energy (KCE) has announced it will raise prices for customers in the King Country area by 3.5 per cent from 1 November.

The increase will apply to retail customers, including residential, small business and farming customers in Mokau, Mangakino, Waitomo, Te Kuiti, Ohakune, Otorohanga, Taumarunui, National Park and Turangi.

KCE Community Relations Manager Helen Peacock says the company has worked hard to keep prices down and has not increased prices since 2014.

“At KCE we’ve focused on absorbing increased operating costs and improving efficiencies in our retail business,” says Mrs Peacock. “Unfortunately, we are now in a position where we have to introduce a small price rise for customers to meet cost pressures.”

Mrs Peacock says the price rise will be advertised in all local newspapers at the end of September and then individually communicated to affected customers in October. The price rise will begin from November 1 and will be reflected in bills received after that time.

“For the majority of our domestic customers the increase works out to be around $2.60 a month, with the balance looking at an average of less than $5 extra a month. For our commercial customers, the majority will see an increase of around $2 a month with others looking at an average of less than $8 extra a month.

“We are committed to keeping customers informed and up-to-date with any changes,” says Mrs Peacock. “It’s part of being transparent and fair in our business transactions. If customers have any concerns or questions, our staff are happy to talk with them.”

KCE is the only locally based electricity retailer in the King Country and remains committed to offering personalised customer service and engaging with the community, says Mrs Peacock. “We continue to develop and improve our services for the benefit of customers,” she says.

KCE’s most recent price rise was three years ago, in November 2014, and was 3.5 per cent. Before that, the most recent rise was November 2011.