Customers will receive a one-off credit that will lower their power bill in May or June this year.
The amount of the credit depends on the type and size of the customer. Householders will receive $261.69, or about an average month’s power bill.
The bill credits address a historical error that resulted in revenues being set higher than they should have been and the unintentional over-charging of the lines component of electricity bills.
Alpine advised customers about the error last year, and had publicly apologised.
It had since engaged constructively with its regulator, the Commerce Commission, while it investigated the matter and accepted the decision announced by the commission last week to return $16.9million to customers via power bill credits.
In a statement Alpine Energy chairwoman Melissa Clark-Reynolds said fixing the error had been a top priority for the board and she was pleased that Alpine had reached a settlement with the Commerce Commission and could now implement its plans to return the overcharge to customers.
"The board acknowledges the concern and uncertainty this error has caused customers. We accept the decision from the commission today. Alpine’s customers will receive an Alpine funded one-off credit in their May or June electricity bills.
"The credit will be $261.69 for about 91% of customers, including most or all household customers and many small businesses. We acknowledge and thank electricity retailers for passing the Alpine credit to their customers."
In addition to the credit to nearly 31,000 homes and small business, customers on three-phase connections will receive credits of $992.83, while credits for larger commercial and industrial electricity customers will depend on connection size and usage.
Former customers affected by the error could also apply for a credit.
Ms Clark-Reynolds said that in addition to the power bill credits, and in recognition of the concern and inconvenience the error has created, Alpine would establish a $1.5m fund for initiatives in the South Canterbury community, such as supporting energy resilience, efficiency, and hardship.
"We thank customers for their patience while this issue has been resolved.
"Finally, I want to acknowledge the constructive stance taken by the commission in resolving what has been a complex exercise."
— APL
