Power prices expected to increase by five percent

Consumer expects power prices to increase by about five percent this year and has said it is lines charges that are to blame. Stats NZ figures show electricity went up 12.1 percent last year. Consumer's price forecast comes in the wake of the government's plans to build a liquefied natural gas import terminal, in a bid to soften price spikes, when renewable energy like solar and wind don't play ball. Paul Fuge who manages Powerswitch - the electricity comparison website operated by Consumer - spoke to Lisa Owen.