Mercury Energy

Logo of Mercury Energy

Mercury Energy is the retail operating division of Mighty River Power, a New Zealand State-owned enterprise. It retails electricity and gas to customers, primarily in the North Island of New Zealand. Mercury has a 19% share of the New Zealand retail electricity market.^[1]

The current Mercury Energy took over the trading name and retail electricity business from an earlier company of that name, the electricity lines (networks) business is now known as Vector. The earlier company known as Mercury Energy was the electricity supplier in the 1998 Auckland power crisis.

Starship Supporters

In 2004 Mercury Energy and the Starship Foundation launched the Star Supporters Club - an initiative where customers are able to make a monthly donation via their Mercury bill to raise money for vital pieces of equipment for Starship Children's Health. Beyond the Star Supporters Club, Mercury Energy hosts a “Stars for Starship” competition each year in which school children are asked to decorate paper stars to help brighten up Starship. In 2010, 894 schools across New Zealand took place in the competition and the best six stars for each school were sent in for judging. Winners received prizes such as money towards books for their schools. This annual event is a big part of the holiday season for Starship.

People and Culture

Approximately 250 people work for Mercury Energy with the majority based in their Auckland office. Mercury Energy supports events and community initiatives including the “Knowledge is Power!” informational sessions which take place in West, Central and South Auckland locations.

Awards

CRM Contact Centre Awards Mercury Energy has won the CRM Contact Centre Awards. The CRM Contact Centre Awards recognise excellence in standards of customer service delivered by contact centres throughout the country. Entrants are anonymously audited via phone and email over an extended period of time using criteria such as answer time, ease of access, product knowledge and operator attitude and efficiency. A vast array of industries from banking and telecommunications to consumer goods enters the awards. In 2005 over 91 companies competed in these awards.

Energy Retailer of the Year 2011 Mercury Energy was awarded the award for Energy Retailer of the Year from the Deloitte Energy Excellence Awards in 2011. Mercury was rated on a strong overall performance, successful improvements to the business, and innovation in product offerings to customers.

Controversy

On 29 May 2007, a contractor for VirCom EMS was sent by Mercury Energy to the home of Folole Muliaga to disconnect the electricity supply due to an unpaid power account. Muliaga was using a home oxygen machine which stopped working when the electricity was disconnected. There is speculation that Muliaga died as a result.^[2] However eveidence suggests that Muliaga died of natural causes some 4 hours after the electricity was disconnected, not as a result of a lack of oxygen.^[3]

References

1. ^ "Retail Market Share Jan 2009". Electricity Commission. http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20100523234341/http://www.electricitycommission.govt.nz/pdfs/opdev/retail/regstats/regstatspdfs/percenticps/Jan09-Appendix1.html. 
2. ^ Marc Alexander (8 June 2007). "When facts get in way of a photo opportunity". Scoop. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00112.htm. 
3. ^ "Cutting power 'a factor in Muliaga death'". Fairfax Media. 23 September 2008. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/640942. 

External links

• Mercury Energy