If you’ve ever paid a power bill in South Canterbury between 2015 and 2024, you may be owed up to $992.83—and it’s time to claim what’s yours.
Alpine Energy, the company that powers homes and businesses across Timaru, Mackenzie, and Waimate, has admitted to overcharging customers for nearly a decade. The mistake was unintentional but serious. Now, they’re refunding $16.9 million to affected customers.
Why Are Alpine Energy Customers Getting a Refund?
In 2012, an error in Alpine Energy’s financial reporting went unnoticed until 2023. This mistake caused electricity prices to be higher than they should have been. The Commerce Commission, New Zealand’s electricity regulator, launched an investigation and worked with Alpine to put things right. Now, Alpine is refunding customers directly through bill credits or payments, depending on whether they still live in the region.
How Much Will You Get?
Here’s a simple table to understand your refund amount:
| Customer Type | Refund Amount |
|---|---|
| Households & Small Businesses | $261.69 |
| Three-Phase Connections | $992.83 |
| Large Commercial/Industrial | Varies (based on usage) |
| Former Customers (2015–2024) | Apply to get refunded |
Good news: 91% of customers fall into the $261.69 category.
How Will You Receive It?
- Current Customers:
No need to do anything. The credit will appear as a reduction in your power bill in May or June 2025. - Former Customers:
You need to apply to receive your refund. Scroll down to the next section for step-by-step instructions.
How to Apply If You’re a Former Customer
If you lived in South Canterbury between 2015 and 2024 and had an Alpine Energy account—but have since moved—you can still claim your refund.
Here’s how to apply:
- Visit the official Alpine refund page:
Apply Here - Fill in the form with:
- Your name
- Your former address in South Canterbury
- The dates your electricity account was active
- Submit the required proof (old power bills, ID, or account details)
- Alpine will verify and process your payment accordingly
Need help?
Call: 03 687 4390
Email: [email protected]
What’s Alpine Doing to Fix This?
To make sure this never happens again, Alpine Energy has committed to:
- Strengthening internal systems and checks
- Submitting an official improvement plan to the Commerce Commission
- Contributing $1.5 million toward community energy programs like:
- Resilience planning
- Energy efficiency upgrades
- Help for families facing electricity hardship
Final Thoughts
This refund is more than just numbers—it’s about fairness. With over 31,000 customers eligible, chances are someone you know qualifies. If you’re one of them, keep an eye on your power bill. And if you’ve moved away, don’t miss the chance to claim what you’re owed.
Share this article to help friends, neighbours, or former South Canterbury residents get their refund.
Because when companies admit mistakes and make it right—everyone deserves to benefit.
