Orion price increase

9 February 2006

Orion's electricity delivery prices will increase from 1 April. Distribution prices, that recover the cost of Orion's lines, will rise by an average 3.9%, while Transmission prices will rise by an average 17.9% to recover Transpower's recently publicised increase.

Should electricity retailers pass on this increase, an average household would see their power bills increase by $3.60 per month.

Roger Sutton, Chief Executive of local lines company Orion, said that "Orion's own line prices will remain below the Commerce Commission's price threshold. This is despite significant input cost increases."

Should Transpower reduce its prices as a result of the Commerce Commission's ongoing investigation, Orion will pass this reduction on.

For more information, contact:

Roger Sutton
Chief Executive Officer
03-363-9846
Mobile 027 4333 632