The electricity discount for households and businesses from Te Aponga Uira has been extended for an additional month. Prime Minister Mark Brown yesterday announced the support under Phase 3 of the Economic Response Plan will continue in April.

The Rarotonga electricity support will result in every household connection being credited for their electricity costs up to a maximum of $80 (including VAT) each month, Brown said. Further, every business that currently receives or is eligible to receive government support, will continue to receive a 60 per cent discount, for a further one-month period.

The electricity discounts will be effective for the April 2021 meter reading and has been formalised by the TAU Board of Directors. The discounting will be reviewed again during April and a decision to continue the discounting for May or altering the discounting amounts, will be decided by the TAU Board in conjunction with Cook Islands Investment Corporation and Government, and will depend on the border settings and affordability.

PM Brown said: “Approximately $11.5 million of savings has now being granted to Rarotonga households and businesses by TAU across Phases 1 through to 3, an outstanding contribution, to keep the economy running and to provide much needed support to households.”

Mata Nooroa, chair of Te Aponga Uira, said: “Te Aponga has experienced significant reduction in its sales along with the majority of businesses over the past year. We have been in a fortunate position to be able to draw down on reserves accumulated for times like these and reprioritise our significant capital investment plan to only the most core infrastructure required to keep electricity reliable for Rarotonga.”

“In doing so, we have been able to heed the call from our shareholder and these discounts represent Te Aponga’s way of continuing to give back to help the nation during these continuing challenging times.”

(Source: Cook Islands Investment Corporation/01-04-21)