Electricity Authority launches free power comparison site Billy

The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko has launched Billy, a free government-owned power comparison and switching website designed to help New Zealand households find better electricity deals.

The interactive site uses real data from 27,000 Kiwi households to create personalised comparisons and guide consumers through switching if they choose to do so. Named as a nod to the power “bill,” Billy aims to give consumers confidence in managing their power costs.

“Billy gives people a simple way to check their plan and make sure they’re getting the best deal for them,” says Authority chief executive Sarah Gillies. “As Billy says, ‘there’s power in checking’. We want people to be confident they’re getting good value for their power by providing clarity and choice.”

The Authority owns and operates Billy directly, meaning it receives no commissions from power companies and does not promote any particular retailer. The site simply shows how different plans could work for each household based on their usage patterns.

EV charging plans included in comparisons

Billy includes comparisons for electric vehicle (EV) charging plans, recognising the growing number of Kiwi households with EVs and their specific electricity needs. The tool can factor in the additional power consumption from home EV charging when creating personalised comparisons.

This feature addresses the reality that EV owners often have different electricity usage patterns, with higher overall consumption but potentially different peak usage times depending on when they charge their vehicles.

Rising power costs drive need for comparison tool

Gillies says the launch comes as many households face increased power bills heading into winter, with electricity representing one of the biggest regular costs for most New Zealanders.

“Electricity is a lifeline not a luxury. It warms our homes, powers our lives and connects us to opportunity. But for too many people, it’s a source of stress,” she says.

Power bills rose by an average of about 10% in the first half of last year – around $17 per month for the average home, according to the Authority.

Research commissioned by the Authority in 2024 found that half of households who switched power companies did so to save money. However, among those who had not switched, the main barriers were uncertainty whether savings would be real (50%), feeling the benefit might not be worth the hassle (37%), and believing switching would be difficult (25%).

Billy addresses these concerns by allowing users to either upload a recent power bill or answer simple questions to receive personalised comparisons within seconds.

Energy Minister Simon Watts says making energy affordable is a top priority for the government.

“Helping you save money is our priority. Billy is a simple tool that takes the guesswork out of power bills, making sure you’re on the best plan so you can keep more in your pocket without the hassle,” Watts says.

Gillies notes that for many users, the outcome may simply be reassurance that their current plan is working well, as the Authority has no commercial interest in whether someone switches.

“Trusted information makes a big difference. Billy will help people better understand their options and make informed choices,” she says.