On 25 March 2020, Marlborough Lines Limited (MLL) made discount payments to eligible consumers connected to MLL’s network, via their electricity retailer.

Ordinarily, MLL would issue a letter to eligible consumers outlining the discount payment process and amount receivable. However, due to the current COVID-19 situation, MLL will delay issuing these postal letters until when normal postal service resumes (i.e. when “non-essential” post is allowable again).

Some consumers are able to receive the discount payment letter via email, if their electricity retailers permit this option. MLL will still issue discount payment letters via email to those consumers.

The amount that an “average” domestic consumer (as defined by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) will have received is $226 (incl. GST). The amount that each consumer receives depends on the nature of their electricity connection and the amount of energy consumed between February 2019 and January 2020.

Consumers should see the discount payment appearing on their March or April monthly electricity invoice as a credit.

MLL was intending to include a copy of its latest “Connections” newsletter with the discount payment letter. The Connections newsletter provides important information for consumers about MLL and its electricity network, including safety advice. An online copy of Connections can be viewed at https://www.marlboroughlines.co.nz/News/Download-Connections.aspx