There is a range of diverse consumers who are increasingly finding themselves living and working within embedded networks. Energy Policy WA’s consultation on regulating the scale and supply of electricity in embedded networks will play an important role in ensuring these consumers have access to protections that are equivalent where practical, to other consumers in the market.

In principle, all households and small businesses should be awarded the same consumer protections regardless of their energy supply arrangements. However, in practice we understand that this is not always practical or cost effective, and the risk of enforcing equal protections under licensing arrangements could result in additional costs being passed on to consumers who are already more likely to be under financial pressure or low income (e.g. residents in retirement villages, caravan parks).

The proposed Alternative Electricity Services (AES) registration framework presents a useful mechanism to extend important consumer protections to embedded network customers. We were pleased to see the development of this framework and strongly support its implementation.

In addition to our reflection on the proposed framework, our submission frames the broader challenges of embedded networks and how these fit (or do not fit) in the future of Australia’s energy system.

Read the full submission here.