Meridian Energy Review

Meridian Energy is a large power company in New Zealand. Does it have the right deal for you? Find out with this review from Canstar Blue.

Source: Meridian
Source: Meridian

Meridian Energy is a large power company in New Zealand. Does it have the right deal for you? Find out with this review from Canstar Blue.

Electricity generator and retailer Meridian generates power from 100% renewable energy sources. Listed on both the NZX and ASX, the Meridian Group is one of New Zealand's largest listed companies and employs around 1000 people across New Zealand and Australia. The New Zealand government is its majority shareholder, at 51%.

Meridian is New Zealand’s largest generator, making power through wind farms, hydro stations and solar arrays.

Its charitable work includes supporting KidsCan and the Kākāpō Recovery Program.

What's on offer from Meridian?

Meridian's website offers a bill-estimation tool, based on your street address and neighbours' electricity consumption.

Meridian offers four power plans:

Freedom plan

  • No contract term
  • Electricity prices subject to change (with 30 days' notice)
  • $10 per month credit for first 12 months
  • Solar buy-back rate of 12c/kWh

EV plan

  • Fixed plan for two years
  • 50% off night rates (from 9pm)
  • Six-months of free EV charging

Solar plan

  • Fixed plan for three years
  • Solar buy-back rate of 17c/kWh
  • $300 sign-up credit

Bach power plan

  • No daily charges
  • Fixed pricing for two years
  • Designed for holiday homes using less than 3000kWh per year
  • Only available to customers with another residence or business with Meridian

Meridian's Smart Hot Water Program

Subject to eligibility, you can sign up to Meridian's Smart Hot Water Program. In return for a $10/m credit, you give Meridian the authority to pause the electricity supply to your hot-water tank during periods of peak demand.

Customer service

Meridian provides a wide range of information and help through its FAQ page.

Otherwise, Meridian Energy can be reached easily by phone, Monday - Friday, or you can send them an email or contact them through the Meridian website.

Account management

Meridian's online service provides customers with a range of account management and monitoring tools via the Meridian website and a smartphone app.

  • Pay your bill and see your account balance
  • Check how much power you’ve used
  • Set up an email alert to give you a heads up if you’re tracking towards a high bill
  • Keep your account details up to date
  • Export your power or billing data

Meridian's customers can choose to pay using LevelPay, which uses a billing average calculated every six months to spread the cost of power evenly throughout the year. Payment can be made either monthly, fortnightly or weekly by direct debit.

Note: Details are correct at 10/10/24.

Bruce Pitchers is Canstar's NZ Editor. An experienced finance reporter, he has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in Australia, the UK and NZ, including ACP, Are Media, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. As a freelancer, he has worked for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority and major banks and investment companies on both sides of the Tasman.
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the DrivenStuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery puzzle book 5 Minute Murder.


Important Information

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This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.