Collective buying power could be used to force energy suppliers to cut their prices.
The Nelson Energy Trust has been set up as part of ongoing efforts to combat soaring energy bills.
The scheme, based on similar projects in the Netherlands and Britain, works by using collective buying power to negotiate with energy suppliers.
It's open to all business users and residential consumers throughout New Zealand, and organisers hope at least 20,000 people will sign up to it before the end of April, giving them the numbers required to put it into action.
Nelson mayor Aldo Miccio, says it's all about teamwork. With 20,000 siganatures, he says, they could go to the electricity retailers and negotiate a better price.
