Otago power company Aurora has told its 90-thousand customers their bills need to rise nearly 20 percent from 2022 to 2024 so it can cover the cost of upgrading ageing infrastructure.
The Dunedin City Council-owned company is planning to spend 4$00 million on 335 kilometres of new overhead lines, nearly 5000 new power poles and substation improvements.
It says over three years that would cost each Dunedin household an extra 588 dollars and an extra 1020 dollars for residents in Central Otago and Wanaka.
Richard Healey used to work for Aurora and three years ago turned whistleblower to lift the lid on the company's failing infrastructure.
He told reporter Katie Todd the costs to customers will be a lot higher than Aurora is suggesting.
