Frank Energy is a budget-positioned electricity retailer owned by Contact Energy. Launched as a separate brand targeting price-sensitive residential customers, Frank Energy offers competitive flat-rate plans without the premium features of retailers like Electric Kiwi. If you want the lowest possible rate without needing special features, Frank Energy is worth comparing.
Type: Budget independent (owned by Contact Energy)
Plans: Variable (primarily), simple pricing
Contracts: None required
Best for: Price-focused households wanting a simple, competitive rate
Frank Energy Plans (2026)
Standard Variable Plan
- Unit rate: approximately 29–35c/kWh (major urban areas, incl. GST)
- Daily charge: approximately 50–70c/day
- No fixed-term contract
- Online account management
Frank Energy’s product is deliberately simple — no Hour of Power, no spot pricing, no bundles. Just a competitive flat rate.
Frank’s Strengths
1. Often among the lowest flat-rate unit rates in NZ Frank Energy is specifically designed to compete on price. Their unit rates frequently appear in the cheapest tier on Powerswitch comparisons, particularly in North Island urban areas.
2. No contracts required Frank Energy’s standard plans are open-term. You can switch away at any time with no break fee.
3. Backed by Contact Energy infrastructure As a Contact Energy subsidiary, Frank Energy benefits from Contact’s back-end systems, billing infrastructure, and grid contracts. This provides stability despite Frank’s budget positioning.
4. Simple product No confusing features, no time-of-use complexity, no subscription fees. You pay a rate per kWh and a daily charge. Easy to understand and compare.
Frank’s Weaknesses
1. No standout features Frank Energy doesn’t have Electric Kiwi’s Hour of Power, Flick’s spot pricing transparency, or Mercury’s EV overnight rate. For households that benefit from these features, Frank’s pure rate comparison may not tell the whole story.
2. Owned by a gentailer (less independence) Frank is a Contact Energy subsidiary — not a truly independent retailer. Some customers prefer genuinely independent operators.
3. Limited plan options No fixed-term plans, no time-of-use options, no broadband bundle. The product range is minimal.
4. Less competitive in South Island Frank Energy’s pricing advantage is most apparent in North Island regions. South Island customers may find gentailers or other independents more competitive.
Who Is Frank Energy Best For?
- Households that have run Powerswitch and found Frank competitive at their address
- Price-focused customers who don’t need or want special features
- Households that already have fixed-time appliance timers and don’t need an additional Hour of Power benefit
- Situations where simplicity matters — straightforward pricing is easy to compare and understand
Frank Energy vs Electric Kiwi
The most common comparison for budget shoppers:
| Feature | Frank Energy | Electric Kiwi |
|---|---|---|
| Base unit rate | Often slightly lower | Competitive |
| Hour of Power | No | Yes (1 free hour/day) |
| Total value for high usage | Lower base rate | Higher with Hour of Power |
| Broadband bundle | No | Yes |
| Contract | None | None |
For most households using 6,000+ kWh/year, Electric Kiwi’s Hour of Power likely adds more value than Frank’s slightly lower base rate — assuming the household actively uses the free hour. For households that can’t use the free hour strategically, Frank’s lower base rate wins.
Verdict
Frank Energy is a legitimate budget option that regularly appears in the cheapest tier on Powerswitch. If you’ve compared Powerswitch and Frank Energy appears competitive at your address, it’s a reliable choice. But for most high-usage households, Electric Kiwi’s combination of competitive rates + Hour of Power offers better total value.
Rating: 3.5/5 — Good budget option; compare against Electric Kiwi for total value.