Energy distributor United Energy has paid $90,000 in penalties after allegedly failing to notify customers of a planned power outage.
The Essential Services Commission issued the penalties after finding that the distributor left customers in Springvale South without electricity for more than six hours on 1 August 2018.
16 May 2019
… alinta energy penalised for second time in two years 17 march 2020 alinta energy has paid penalties totalling $280,000 for again allegedly using door-to-door sales agents to switch victorians to new energy contracts without their consent. the essential services commission issued the energy retailer 14 penalty notices worth $280,000 for switching customers in areas
… state regulator releases interim report on port of melbourne 20 march 2020 the state regulator has released an interim report on the port on melbourne’s approach to setting land rents and providing access to port land. the essential services commission’s report takes a detailed look at the port of melbourne’s contractual arrangements and the extent to which the land rents paid are passed through to victorian consumers. the interim finding is that there
The state’s energy regulator has reassured Victorians experiencing energy bill stress as a result of summer bushfires and the coronavirus outbreak that help is available.
The Essential Services Commission has launched a campaign to inform customers across the state about the support energy retailers must offer that provides a safety net for Victorians who are facing payment difficulties.
Energy companies are required to support customers avoid getting into debt and offer advice and assistance for
The state’s pricing regulator is preparing to look at the maximum fares payable by passengers for catching a cab on the street.
The Essential Services Commission has released a consultation paper seeking feedback from taxi users and other stakeholders on its approach to reviewing the maximum fare that can be charged for ‘unbooked’ taxi services.
Unbooked services are where passengers hail a vehicle from the street or take a taxi from a rank while booked services are arranged prior to travel through an
Victoria’s Electricity Distribution Code has been updated to meet the future needs of the state’s energy grid and support customers with technologies such as solar power.
The state’s energy regulator has published its final decision on the code’s technical standards which include updates to voltage standards and new distributor reporting requirements.
Commission energy director Sarah McDowell says the changes are aimed at ensuring Victoria’s energy grid supports new technologies such as solar power,
Amaysim Energy (also trading as Click Energy) has paid penalties totalling $600,000 after a sales agent allegedly faked customer details to sign them up without their consent.
The Essential Services Commission has issued 30 penalty notices to Amaysim Energy after a sales agent allegedly entered 19 customer’s details into an online form without their permission, to sign them onto new energy contracts.
Commission chairperson Kate Symons says gaining customers through fraudulent means undermines trust in
The state’s energy regulator has put Victorian energy companies on notice saying it will be keeping a close eye on the way they support customers at this difficult time.
The Essential Services Commission has sent a message to energy retailers, highlighting it will focus its annual audit program on how they are meeting their obligations to support customers who are having problems paying their bills or experiencing family violence.
The commission’s director of energy Sarah McDowell says supporting
Victorian residents and small businesses will be better prepared for planned outages under changes to how electricity distributors communicate with customers proposed by the state regulator.
26 May 2020
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We have identified instances where accredited persons have selected incorrect asset lifetime references in creating certificates under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program. This update
… taking a photo can help avoid bill shock this winter 01 june 2020 victorians can avoid bill shock this winter by sending a photo of their gas meter to their energy company. the state’s energy regulator has found more than half a million estimated bills are issued in victoria each year*. essential services commission’s energy director sarah mcdowell says victorians who have received an estimated bill will be able to correct this by
Most Goulburn-Murray Water customers will see falling prices from 1 July under a decision released by the state’s independent pricing regulator.
A new report has found customers experiencing family violence are getting more support from water businesses after customer protections were strengthened by the state’s independent economic regulator.
The research report looked at how the state’s water businesses were implementing new rules developed by the Essential Services Commission following the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Commission director Marcus Crudden says the research shows water companies are acting with more sensitivity toward
… we conducted our first inquiry to assess the use of power in setting and reviewing land rents at the port of melbourne. it covered the period 1 november 2016 to 31 october 2019. breadcrumb home scope and process paper 26 september 2019 2019-09-24 interim report 20 march 2020 2020-03-19 public forum 31 march 2020 2020-03-31 final report 14 october 2020 2020-10-13 overview the port of melbourne and its tenants use contracts to set property rents for port of melbourne land. this was our …
The Compliance and Performance Reporting Guideline sets out what retailers and distributors need to report to us. To help ensure we receive the correct information, we ask regulated businesses to use reporting templates we have created.
This decision focuses on amending the reporting guideline so that it aligns with new customer entitlements that came into effect on 1 July 2019.
We also made administrative changes to the reporting guideline that affect both energy retailers and
12 September 2019
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The following stakeholders should be aware of these changes when considering undertaking project-based activities:
13 September 2019
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We have received and approved an app-based in-home display unit for installation under the Victorian Energy Upgrade (VEU) program on the basis that the product meets the program’s product
We have completed our annual review of the minimum feed-in tariffs that your energy company pays you for power you export to the grid via sources including solar panels.
From 1 July 2020, retailers will continue to be able to offer solar system owners a single rate feed-in tariff, a time-varying feed-in tariff or both.
Final decision
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… market report . summary of findings the overall response to consumers has been mixed financial counsellors and consumers said there was broad variation in responses, depending on their retailer. customers and their advocates experienced better support from larger retailers, which were perceived as having better systems, resources and training. while customers and their advocates noted that some smaller retailers are offering more options and flexibility, some customers still experienced
9 October 2020
Proposed changes to lighting product applications (product category 34)
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9 October 2020
Changes to product approval requirements for lighting products with switchable wattage settings
We have received an increasing number of