Who Is Frank Energy?
Frank Energy is a New Zealand-owned electricity retailer operating as a retail electricity provider on the national grid. Unlike the major gentailers (Genesis, Contact, Mercury, Meridian), Frank Energy does not own generation assets — it purchases electricity from the wholesale market and retails it to residential and small business customers. This asset-light model keeps overheads low, enabling Frank Energy to price competitively. Frank Energy services customers throughout New Zealand wherever electricity is distributed by the national network.
Frank Energy Plans 2026
| PlanDaily ChargeUnit RateContractNotes |
| Frank Flat~$1.40–$2.00~24–30c/kWhNo lock-inSimple flat pricing |
| Frank Controlled~$1.20–$1.70~22–27c/kWh (off-peak)No lock-inAllows line co. to switch off HWC at peaks |
| Frank BusinessNegotiatedNegotiatedVariesFor small business |
Frank Energy's No-PPD Pricing: Why It Matters
One of Frank Energy's key differentiators is their transparent pricing without prompt payment discount (PPD) confusion. Many NZ power retailers advertise a higher "standard" rate with a significant PPD (prompt payment discount) that applies if you pay on time. This structure is misleading — the "discounted" rate is effectively the real rate, and the standard rate is artificially inflated to make the PPD look attractive. Frank Energy simply offers their actual price upfront. This transparency makes Frank Energy's prices directly comparable to other providers without needing to decode PPD structures.
How Frank Energy Compares to Other NZ Power Companies
In independent comparisons using the Electricity Authority's Powerswitch tool, Frank Energy regularly appears at or near the top for most NZ residential customer profiles. On a typical Auckland household using 8,000 kWh per year, Frank Energy often saves $200–$400 per year versus the big gentailers. The savings are most pronounced versus Genesis Energy and Contact Energy, which both carry premium pricing. Electric Kiwi is Frank's closest competitor on price — the choice between them often comes down to whether you can take advantage of Electric Kiwi's Hour of Power free electricity feature.
Frank Energy Customer Service
As a smaller retailer, Frank Energy operates with a leaner support model than the major gentailers. Customer service is primarily via online chat and email rather than large call centres. Response times for routine enquiries are generally good (1–2 business days for email). For urgent issues (power outages, billing errors), Frank Energy offers phone support. Customer reviews on Google and Consumer NZ are generally positive, with customers appreciating the straightforward pricing and ease of sign-up. Some customers note that support wait times can be longer during peak periods.
Signing Up to Frank Energy
Signing up to Frank Energy is done entirely online at frankenergy.co.nz. You'll need your ICP number (from your current power bill), your current meter readings if you have a non-smart meter, and your bank account details for direct debit. The switch from your current provider typically takes 2–5 business days with no interruption to your power. Frank Energy does not require a credit check or bond for residential customers. Their onboarding process is considered one of the simpler among NZ power retailers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Frank Energy the cheapest power company in NZ?
Frank Energy is consistently among the cheapest power companies in NZ for standard residential customers, frequently ranking in the top 3 on Powerswitch comparisons. However, "cheapest" depends on your specific usage profile, location (lines company charges vary), and whether you can take advantage of special features like Electric Kiwi's Hour of Power. The only reliable way to find the cheapest provider for your specific situation is to use Powerswitch.org.nz with your actual kWh usage and ICP number. Frank Energy will appear in the results alongside all other NZ retailers, making direct comparison straightforward.
Is Frank Energy reliable in NZ?
Frank Energy is a licensed electricity retailer registered with the Electricity Authority. The physical reliability of your electricity supply — the network that delivers power to your home — is determined by your local lines company (Vector, Orion, PowerCo, etc.), not your retailer. All NZ power retailers use the same physical network. Frank Energy itself has maintained service consistency since launch. As a smaller retailer, it has less operational depth than the major gentailers during large-scale billing or IT issues, but this has not been a significant reported problem for most customers.
Does Frank Energy have a mobile app?
Frank Energy offers online account management through their website. A dedicated mobile app may be available or in development — check frankenergy.co.nz for the latest. Most basic account functions (view bills, update payment details, submit meter readings) are available through their website portal on mobile browsers. For customers who rely heavily on in-app energy management, Electric Kiwi, Mercury, and Contact Energy have more developed app ecosystems. Frank Energy's simplicity means their digital tools don't need to be complex — billing is straightforward and there are no complicated loyalty or rewards systems to track.
How do I switch to Frank Energy from another NZ provider?
Switching to Frank Energy takes about 10 minutes online. Visit frankenergy.co.nz, click "Switch to Frank," enter your ICP number (printed on your current bill), enter your address and usage details, and confirm your new plan. Frank Energy handles all communication with your current provider and the lines company — you don't need to contact your old provider or give any notice. Your service switches within 2–5 business days with no gap in supply. Your old provider will send a final bill for the period up to the switch date.
What happens if Frank Energy goes out of business?
Under the Electricity Authority's "retailer of last resort" scheme, if your electricity retailer ceases trading, you are automatically transferred to a designated backup retailer without any interruption to your electricity supply. The transfer happens seamlessly — your power stays on. Your credit balance with Frank Energy would be handled as part of the insolvency process, though this risk is minimised by the regulatory requirements on all NZ retailers to maintain adequate financial buffers. The retailer of last resort scheme is a core protection for all NZ electricity consumers regardless of which retailer they use.
Does Frank Energy offer solar or EV plans?
Frank Energy's core offering is straightforward flat-rate electricity for standard residential customers. For solar buyback (where your retailer pays for excess electricity generated by your solar panels and exported to the grid), check Frank Energy's current terms — buyback rates and availability vary. For EV-specific plans with off-peak charging discounts, Frank Energy's current range may be more limited than providers like Mercury, Electric Kiwi, or Contact Energy who have dedicated EV plans with overnight rate discounts. If you have or are planning to install solar or an EV, compare the full market (including Frank) using Powerswitch or a solar-specific comparison tool.
Can I use Frank Energy for my rental property in NZ?
Yes — Frank Energy's residential plans are available for tenants as well as homeowners. If you're renting, you can sign up to Frank Energy directly in your name for the rental property's electricity supply. Check whether your rental property already has a connection or requires a new connection. Frank Energy does not require a bond for residential customers, making it accessible for renters who may not want to lock up a bond deposit with a power company. When you move out, cancel or transfer your Frank Energy account and arrange a final meter read for your final bill.
