Genesis Review

Genesis is publicly listed on the NZX and the ASX, with a 51% cornerstone shareholding by the New Zealand government. The company was founded in 1999, following the split of the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand.

Genesis is aligned with five of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Reduce Inequalities, Climate Action and Partnerships for the Goals.

What’s on offer from Genesis?

Genesis offers three residential energy plans. For customers who bundle electricity and gas (either bottled or piped), Genesis provides an additional 5% discount off each bill. Consumers are able to check plan rates via its website and sign up online.

Energy Basic plan:

• Fixed prices for 12 months (with a $150 exit fee if you leave within 12 months)

Energy Plus plan:

• A choice between fixed prices for 12 months with a $100 bonus on 12-month sign-up (a $150 exit fee applies if you leave within 12 months), or staying flexible with no exit fees or discount
• Up to 6% in bill discounts for things like paying your bill by direct debit or credit card, or receiving it by email
• Free Power Shout hours (see below)

Energy EV

• Half-price power from 9pm-7 am every night.
• Up to 6% in bill discounts for things like paying your bill by direct debit or credit card, or receiving it by email
• Free Power Shout hours (see below)
• 12-month fixed term

Power Shouts

Genesis customers on the Energy Plus plan regularly enjoy offers of free electricity that Genesis calls Power Shouts. Customers choose when they take their Power Shouts, so they can make the most of them.

Solar

Genesis also offers a range of solar packages for consumers in selected areas. Eligible consumers are able to request an estimate or book a home visit via the Genesis website.

The Genesis HomeGen offer, meanwhile, is for residential customers who generate their own electricity (such as by solar), with less than 50kW output, who wish to sell the electricity they don’t use back to the grid. Genesis currently offer 12.5c/kWh for electricity exported to the grid

Customer service

Genesis provides a range of information via its website’s FAQs section, catalogued under different topics, with consumers also able to search the Genesis website for specific topics.

Consumers can contact Genesis by phone and email, and they also have the option of submitting a message or engaging in live chat via the Genesis website. Genesis is also active on social media website Facebook.

“At Genesis we believe we have a responsibility to our customers to ensure that we meet their energy requirements, as well as provide them with first-class customer service,” the company says.

Account management and energy services

Genesis provides customers with a range of account management and monitoring tools via its website and the Energy IQ app.

With Energy IQ customers can:

• Pay bills by credit or debit card and set up recurring card payments
• Add properties and energy types (electricity, natural or bottled gas)
• Organise moving house or premises
• View and graph their past hourly, daily and monthly electricity usage
• Enter a meter read to get an updated bill

Energy IQ also provides some cutting-edge features like:

• Home Comparison: lets customers compare their power use to other similar homes, so they can see how their power use stacks up
• Electricity Forecast: allows customers to predict how much energy they’ll use up to a week ahead, so they can stay on top of their energy use
• Usage Breakdown: gives customers an estimate of how much energy they’re using in their home, on things like heating, hot water and lighting

Genesis’ invoice payment options comprise

• Energy IQ on the Genesis website, by credit card or automatic payment
• The Energy IQ mobile app, by credit card
• Control-a-bill, allowing customers to spread their energy payments evenly, paying by direct debit weekly, fortnightly or monthly
• Internet banking
• Automatic payment, paying a fixed amount weekly, fortnightly or monthly
• Phone, by Visa or MasterCard
• In person at an NZ Post shop

Note: Details are correct at 18/06/24.

You should always compare features and providers before signing up for an electricity plan. Fortunately, Canstar Blue rates power companies on a range of features, including customer satisfaction and value for money. Click below to see how Genesis performs.

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