Bay of Plenty residents could save $300 a year on their power bills by switching to solar power, says energy spokesperson for the Green Party Gareth Hughes.

Gareth visited Tauranga this week to promote the party's ‘Switched On' plan for cheaper, cleaner, smarter power for New Zealanders.

Energy spokesperson for the Green Party Gareth Hughes. Photo by: Zoe Hunter.

During his visit, Gareth also visited Mount Maunganui renewable energy company PowerSmart Solar to learn about the benefits of reduced reliance on big power companies and lowering power bills.

The MP says solar power is a fantastic opportunity particularly for BOP, which is one of the sunniest regions in the country.

'Tauranga's annual electricity bills are up by $407 in the last five years, but with well over 2200 sunshine hours a year in the BOP, the region stands to gain a lot from solar power.”

The Green Party's Solar Homes policy plans to give Kiwi households low cost loans to go solar.

'What we're seeing is super profits being made by the now privatised electricity companies directly coming out of local households and businesses,” says Gareth, who says the party's long term goal proposes to restructure the electricity market through NZ Power.

By doing this, the party plans to save families $300 a year on their power bills.

In the short term, the party is proposing a ‘progressive pricing' system where the first block of electricity that's provided by electricity companies is at a cheaper rate than subsequent blocks.

'This will save people money straight away,” says Gareth.

'It also acts as a bit of an incentive to go solar, invest in energy efficient appliances or take advantage of the insulation scheme.”

Since energy companies became privatised, Gareth says power bills have seen an upsurge, producing the fifth highest power price increase in the developed world since NZ has had a current electricity market.

'It's really important that we structure an electricity market which works for New Zealanders, not just for the power companies and their profits.”

Gareth also visited Papamoa College to talk to students about his recently launched Internet Rights and Freedoms Bill, which aims to protect human rights in the online environment.