Reduced power bills for consumers and a more efficient electricity distribution network are among several projected benefits if a rule change request by Energy Consumers Australia to the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is successful.
The AEMC has released a consultation paper calling for feedback in response to the rule change request, which outlined a comprehensive modernisation plan for Australia’s electricity distribution networks.
Energy Consumers Australia is calling on the sector to support the proposed changes to the National Electricity Rules in the consultation paper on Integrated Distribution System Planning (electricity).
“The distribution network – the local poles and wires connecting our homes and businesses to the broader grid and one another – is the single biggest element of household electricity bills,” Energy Consumers Australia’s General Manager, Advocacy and Policy Brian Spak said.
“Australians need a distribution network system that is efficient and affordable. Our rule change request aims to ensure the distribution network is fully aligned with consumers’ needs and ensures they don’t pay a cent more for their electricity than they have to.”
Energy Consumers Australia’s rule change request included requiring Australia’s distribution networks to prepare for expected increases in the two-way flow of power from homes and businesses to the network, for electric vehicles, and for an increase in electric appliances replacing gas appliances, by adapting their planning and data collection processes.
It also aims to create greater transparency in network decision-making and planning processes, and to ensure that networks better plan and use their infrastructure more efficiently, ensuring consumers get greater value from their investment in the network.
Other targeted benefits will include helping communities make more informed decisions about when and where to invest in solar, batteries, electrification and distributed energy resources.
“The planning rules for networks were developed before the unprecedented growth in household solar and batteries in Australia and are inadequate for the consumer-driven system that is now emerging,” Mr Spak said. “Many communities want to be more engaged in planning their local energy system, and this rule change will assist with that.
“We are working with industry and regulators to ensure consumers get their money’s worth for the networks they pay for. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to support our proposed rule change.”
More details on the consultation are on the AEMC’s website here. Further details on the rule change request are available on the new Energy Consumers Australia website here.
Energy Consumers Australia media: 0407 2244 69 / email
About Energy Consumers Australia
Energy Consumers Australia is the independent, national voice for residential and small business energy consumers. We enable residential and small business energy consumers to have their voices heard.
