Energy and water
Media and commentary related to our work to protect and advance consumer protections for essential services, and accelerate a just transition to net zero.
-
The climate challenge – how good are we?
By PIAC CEO, Jonathon Hunyor ‘How good is Australia?’ was, of course, meant as a rhetorical question. But, with the climate crisis now all-too-real, we may be about to find out. Because make no mistake – in this ‘new normal’, we are going to be tested. Our values and our institutions will come under extreme…
-
Wholesale demand response delayed, better outcomes for consumers necessary
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Total Environment Centre and The Australia Institute welcome the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (the Commission) announcement that it will introduce wholesale demand response earlier than planned, but say more work is urgently needed to get the best outcome for households. The Commission has today announced it will postpone a final…
-
Water recycling needed but high fixed charges mean many Sydney households are still paying for water they don’t use
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) welcomes the NSW Government investigating water recycling as a necessary measure to secure Sydney’s water supply during ongoing drought conditions. PIAC supports water recycling, but stresses good long-term water planning involves being efficient with available resources and using water sustainably, not waiting until supplies are critically low and options…
-
Cheaper than dirt: Critics say Sydney’s water ‘massively undervalued’
‘Economists say Sydney’s water is too cheap, and the city is “massively under-valuing” a scarce and finite resource as the drought continues unabated.’ ‘”Water in NSW isn’t dirt cheap. It’s way cheaper,” said economist Richard Tooth, commenting on Sydney Water’s latest pricing proposals. “Water costs little than more than $2 a tonne delivered to your…
-
NSW Energy Strategy guides affordable, reliable energy transition
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre welcomes the NSW government’s release of an Energy Strategy that supports the transition to renewable energy and encourages low-cost, low emissions and reliable power for NSW households. ‘The strategy complements national measures to support the long-term system planning needs required for NSW households to have affordable, reliable, sustainable energy into…
-
Call to fast-track ‘demand response’ to stabilise energy supply
‘Big energy users have called for new “demand response” rules to be fast-tracked and extended by allowing electricity to be sold into the wholesale market from both businesses and households as the threat of summer blackouts looms on the east coast…’
-
New demand response rule to erode market power of generator cartel
‘Australia is about to take another significant step towards breaking the market power of the country’s electricity generation cartel – and prepare for a renewables-dominated grid – with the main rule maker finally allowing demand response to enter the wholesale electricity market.’
-
Big energy users paid for reducing demand
‘Big energy users look set to be rewarded for reducing their power usage during peak periods, under a plan to prevent summer blackouts.’ ‘The energy market rule-maker has released a draft version of its so-called “demand response mechanism” for public consultation…’
-
How ‘negawatts’ could help businesses cut their power bills
‘Manufacturers including BlueScope Steel and CSR stand to benefit from proposed rule changes in the electricity market that will allow them to better control their power use and bid directly into the wholesale market, saying it will help drive down prices…’
-
National plan to cut use and cost of power released
‘The Australian National Energy Market Commission has today released a wholesale demand response draft rule that would allow businesses to sell power into the grid.’ ‘It is designed to reduce power use and cost…’
-
AEMC urges change to allow users to sell power back to the grid to guarantee energy demand
‘In a sign of rising pressure on power generation, the Federal Government’s chief energy advisor is urging rule changes to allow large commercial and industrial users to easily reduce their demand in peak periods and sell it back into the grid…’
-
Energy prices: large users could be paid to reduce demand at peak times
‘Large energy users would be paid to reduce their power demand at peak times under a proposed new rule for the sector aimed at boosting competition and reducing wholesale prices…’
-
Demand Response Rule Change: Consumers set to save from energy market shake-up
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre, The Australia Institute and Total Environment Centre have today welcomed a draft rule by the Australian Energy Market Commission (the Commission) that will increase competition in the wholesale energy market, lower emissions and prevent blackouts. Wholesale demand response is a system where the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) pays energy…
-
AER decision a missed opportunity to reduce energy bills
PIAC’s Energy + Water Consumers’ Advocacy Program (EWCAP) has said that the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) final determination on Default Market Offer (DMO) prices, issued this week, is a lost opportunity to deliver fairer retail bills for NSW consumers. ‘While we welcome any measures that help to address the unfairly inflated bills that over 400,000…
-
Electricity determination important step to keep energy prices down for NSW
The Australian Energy Regulator’s revenue determination represents a fair outcome for NSW consumers and will help curb rising household energy bills.
-
‘Penalties masquerading as discounts’: Time’s up for energy bill rort
Energy retailers are set to be banned from using controversial billing practices under a crackdown on so-called discounts that consumer rights advocates say are “exploitative”. The federal government this week directed the energy regulator to look into unfair electricity and gas pricing by retailers in the form of ‘pay-on-time discounts’, a practice criticised by consumer…
-
No interest loan plan puts roof-top solar within reach of struggling households
PIAC’s Energy + Water Consumer Advocacy Program (EWCAP) has welcomed the New South Wales Government’s commitment to provide no-interest loans for households to access solar and batteries, announced on Sunday. ‘This program will provide welcome relief for people struggling with the cost of living. Making finance available for up to 300,000 households with income below…
-
Energy users could be paid to reduce use
‘Consumers could be paid for reducing the amount of electricity they use to help the grid during peak demand in an industry change being considered by the market’s rule maker…The rule change was requested by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Total Environment Centre and the Australia Institute…’
-
Struggling families cut off from utilities being pushed further into debt, new report shows
‘Struggling families without electricity are cutting back on groceries, maxing credit cards, delaying medical appointments and even getting loans from pawnbrokers to get reconnected to the grid.’ ‘A new report on electricity, gas and water disconnections has found utility companies who cut off skint households from essential services are pushing these Australians into even further…
-
Report: Utility disconnections hitting struggling families hardest
A new report on electricity, gas and water disconnections has found disconnecting people from utilities because they can’t afford to pay their bills hurts families that are already struggling, worsens the hardship experienced by people who are already living with multiple forms of disadvantage, and is not an effective way of making people pay on…
-
NSW solar scheme welcome news for some low-income households
PIAC’s Energy + Water Consumer Advocacy Program (EWCAP) has welcomed the New South Wales Government’s efforts to help households with low incomes access rooftop solar systems through their $15 million solar program, announced on Friday. ‘This initiative recognises that removing barriers to rooftop solar energy is one of the most effective and enduring ways help…
-
Engaging with consumers: How do the energy distributors stack up?
Essential Energy has come out on top in PIAC’s first formal evaluation of the consumer engagement practices for the three electricity distribution businesses in NSW. Essential Energy, who received a 4 star rating, was closely followed by Endeavour on 3.5 stars. Ausgrid demonstrated the least effective engagement of the three, receiving 2.8 stars. In determining…
-
AEMC mulls rule change to boost ‘demand response’ in National Electricity Market
‘The Australian Energy Market Commission is mulling a rule change that would accelerate the growth of demand response – an alternative source of power to conventional generation – and boost the grid’s resilience to supply squeezes and blackouts. ‘The Energy Security Board expected that demand response – where customers are paid to curtail their electricity…
-
ACCC review confirms electricity market not working for consumers
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has called on Australian governments to take strong action to bring down electricity prices and restore consumer confidence following the release of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry Final Report. The report finds that consumers are paying for unnecessary costs at every level of…
-
AEMC review: stronger action needed by energy retailers and regulators to ensure that the market is working for consumers
Following the release of the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (AEMC) 2018 Retail Energy Competition Review, PIAC’s Energy and Water Consumers’ Advocacy Program (EWCAP) has called for stronger action by energy retailers and regulators to ensure that the market is working for consumers. ‘We welcome the Commission’s report and note the finding that the deregulation of…
-
Bill shock as gas companies overcharge by nearly $800
‘Households are being warned to check if their gas bills contain wildly inaccurate “estimated” meter readings, after a Sydney woman was repeatedly sent erroneous bills, with the latest more than 20 times her actual usage.’
-
Electricity price win for Victorian consumers
Victorian households have avoided further increases to their electricity bills following decisions by the Australian Competition Tribunal released this week. The Tribunal rejected arguments by the five Victorian Distribution Networks that they should be allowed to recover an extra $345 million from Victorian consumers. The decisions are the last in a series of cases heard…
-
National Energy Guarantee an opportunity for sensible discussion on reliability vs cost
Following the announcement of the Turnbull Government’s National Energy Guarantee, PIAC’s Energy and Water Consumers’ Advocacy Program (EWCAP) has called for the interests of people, not coal, to be kept at the centre of the debate on energy reliability and emissions. ‘We welcome the government’s commitment to a long-term plan to maintain energy reliability and…
-
Battery warranties leave consumers in the dark: Report
New research released today has revealed that a majority of residential battery storage systems commonly sold in Australia have warranties that breach Australian Consumer law and some could be inappropriate in the hot Australian climate. Ensuring Consumer Protections for Purchasers of Residential Battery Storage Systems, by Dr Penelope Crossley of the University of Sydney, was…
-
Electricity bill relief package welcome news for households doing it tough
PIAC’s Energy + Water Consumers Advocacy Program (EWCAP) has welcomed the NSW electricity bill relief package, announced yesterday. EWCAP Team Leader, Craig Memery said that the full package, which includes a combination of rebates and discounts for low-income households and small businesses, makes good sense. ‘Electricity bills have more than doubled over the past decade,…