Genesis Energy is one of New Zealand’s four large gentailers, retailing electricity to around 18% of NZ households. They’re unique among the gentailers in offering both electricity and piped natural gas for residential customers, making them an option for the minority of NZ homes with gas connections. Their generation fleet includes hydro, coal, and gas-peaking stations.
Type: Gentailer (generates + retails)
Generation: Hydro, gas, coal (~60–65% renewable)
Gas supply: Yes — unique among NZ gentailers
Brands: Genesis Energy, Energy Online
Notable: NZ government holds ~51% stake; NZX listed
Genesis Energy Plans (2026)
Standard Variable Plan
- Unit rate: approximately 32–38c/kWh (major urban areas, incl. GST)
- Daily charge: approximately 55–80c/day
- Online discount typically ~5% off standard rates
- No lock-in contract
Fixed-Term Plans (12 months)
- Rate locked for 12 months
- Break fee applies if you leave early
- Occasionally offered with sign-up credits
Gas + Power Bundle
For homes with piped natural gas, Genesis offers bundled billing for both electricity and gas. Available in most North Island urban areas and parts of Christchurch where gas reticulation exists.
Genesis’s Strengths
1. Gas + power bundle Genesis is the most established option for households with piped natural gas. If you heat your home, heat water, or cook with natural gas, bundling both utilities with Genesis simplifies billing and can offer a modest discount.
2. Large, established company Genesis has a long customer service track record. As a partially government-owned company, it benefits from institutional stability.
3. Energy Online brand Genesis also operates “Energy Online” as a budget brand with slightly different pricing. Worth comparing both brands on Powerswitch.
4. NZ government ownership The NZ government holds ~51% of Genesis, which gives some consumers confidence in its long-term stability.
Genesis’s Weaknesses
1. Lowest renewable proportion among gentailers Genesis’s generation fleet includes coal (Huntly) and gas-peaking stations. Their renewable generation proportion (~60–65%) is lower than Meridian (100%), Mercury (~90%), or Contact (~80–85%). For environmentally-conscious households, this is a significant consideration.
2. Not usually the cheapest Standard Genesis plans rarely appear at the top of Powerswitch comparisons. Independent retailers typically offer lower rates for households without gas connections.
3. Coal generation (Huntly) Genesis operates the Huntly Power Station, which can run on coal. While coal use has reduced significantly, it remains a fallback during dry years — a concern for environmentally-focused households.
Who Is Genesis Energy Best For?
- Households with piped natural gas wanting a single provider for power + gas
- North Island households who’ve compared Powerswitch and found Genesis competitive at their address
- Customers who prefer a government-connected company
Genesis vs Contact for Gas Households
Both Genesis and Contact supply natural gas for residential customers. If you have a gas connection, compare both:
| Feature | Genesis | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Gas supply | Yes | Yes |
| Power bundle | Yes | Yes |
| Renewable generation | ~60–65% | ~80–85% |
| Price competitiveness | Average | Average |
| Gas areas covered | Most North Island, some South | Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga |
Contact’s higher renewable proportion may tip the balance for environmentally-conscious gas households.
Verdict
Genesis Energy is a reasonable choice primarily for households with natural gas who want a single provider for both utilities. For households without gas connections, independent retailers like Electric Kiwi or Frank Energy typically offer better value. Genesis’s coal generation may be a deal-breaker for sustainability-focused customers.
Rating: 3/5 — Solid for gas households, but independent retailers offer better electricity value for most.