We accepted an enforceable undertaking from Momentum Energy about disconnection notices that did not comply with the Energy Retail Code.
Momentum Energy's enforceable undertaking for a disconnection compliance issue
The disconnection warning notices that Momentum Energy issued in 2018 did not comply with clause 110(2)(h) of the Energy Retail Code because they did not let smart meter customers know that they could be disconnected without someone having to visit the property
7 August 2019
EnergyAustralia certificate shortfall decision 2019
(pdf, 135.55 KB)
In August 2019, EnergyAustralia paid a penalty of $8,117.50 after we issued the company with a Victorian energy efficiency certificate shortfall statement.
Under
Key audit results 2018–19
Origin Energy incorrectly calculated some of their recovery of undercharges, meaning greater amounts were recovered from customers than allowed.
The audit also covered some explicit informed consent requirements but did not find any issues.
Recommended actions
We looked into why credits were under-applied and recommended that Origin Energy stop using the billing technology used for calculating the credits so that they do not continue to overcharge
… government financial support, but say they’re committed to helping customers stay connected. more than 30 energy industry representatives told the state's essential services regulator they’re using a range of strategies to engage with customers who are struggling to pay their bills. commission chair kate symons told the group she was encouraged to hear about initiatives like a ‘knock before you disconnect’ trial among some gas distributors. “it
The state’s energy regulator is seeking feedback on its proposal to increase the Victorian Default Offer to reflect upcoming changes to national electricity network costs.
… victorian water businesses focus on resilience after a year of challenges 28 june 2021 senior leaders from 18 of the state’s water businesses met with the essential services commission as part of an ongoing series of industry and community roundtables. water businesses said while lessons were learnt in 2020, they are still being challenged in terms of frequency of extreme … of working and supporting staff in order to better support residential and small business customers. a number of
Penalty notices
29 June 2021
Simply Energy penalty notices 2021 (explicit informed consent)
(pdf, 1.73 MB)
Further information
Simply Energy has paid penalties totalling $2.5 million after two external door-to-door sales agents allegedly used phoney accents and fake names to switch hundreds of customers to new energy contracts without their consent.
The Essential Services Commission issued 125 penalty notices to Simply Energy after the agents allegedly impersonated customers consenting to the switch in phone calls to the company.
… you will be required to collect and maintain documentation for each upgrade which must be provided to us upon request. all evidence required for each of the activity scenarios is outlined in the activity guide. activity documentation we have released documents for undertaking these activities , including: cold room activity application form cold room activity veec assignment form template cold room activity guide which includes evidence requirements for the three upgrade scenarios for
17 August 2021
Updates to product application guide for solar or heat pump water heaters
We have released an updated Water heating and space heating/cooling product application guide to clarify and update the following requirements:
Clarification/update
Our review of payment difficulty framework focuses on evaluating the implementation of the framework in meeting its objectives, relying on direct customer experiences, and data and information relating to the implementation of the framework. We have released our findings from the review. We found that the payment difficulty framework helps Victorian energy consumers manage their energy costs but that retailers can do more.
What is the payment difficulty framework?
Victoria’s energy regulator is reviewing the effectiveness of the safety net designed to help anyone struggling to pay their energy bills to see how well it’s working to protect customers.
… considerations. what is safe wood-fired room heater decommissioning? to clarify our expectations, we considered the meaning of ‘rendered permanently inoperable’ for these activities. the risks to safety of future residents and integrity of buildings are significant. as a result, we believed the proportional approach is to require a high level of assurance. this would include evidence demonstrating the removal of the wood-fired heater and flue up to the ceiling (or fireplace), repair of
28 October 2021
Changes to in-home display (activity 30) requirements
We have made the following changes to our requirements in response to some identified issues and feedback from accredited persons regarding the in-home display activity (activity 30) activity to gain assurance that IHD units are being installed correctly at consumers’ premises:
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 2022, 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.
Our final decision
Retailers can offer solar customers the minimum flat feed-in tariff and/or the time-varying feed-in tariffs for electricity exported
Falling wholesale electricity prices are behind the state’s energy regulator cutting the default electricity offer by about five per cent.
Victorian households on the default electricity offer will see their annual bills dropping by an average $70 per year from 1 January 2022 while small business customers will save an average $336 a year.
Essential Services Commission pricing director Marcus Crudden says the decision will provide bill relief to around 200,000 households and 50,000 small businesses.
Nineteen representatives from 17 of Victoria's water businesses came together this week to discuss how the sector and customers are fairing at the end of another challenging year, as well as price reviews in the coming year.
… real value to solar customers is not having to pay retail for the electricity they use. the essential services commission has released its draft decision on the minimum feed-in tariff that energy companies will pay from 1 july 2022 with the trend of falling tariffs likely set to continue. the proposed minimum single rate feed-in tariff for 2022–23 is 5.2 cents per kilowatt hour, down from 6.7 cents while minimum time-varying feed-
Following advice from the Essential Services Commission, the Minister for Local Government, Shaun Leane has announced council rates will be capped at 1.75 per cent for the 2022–23 financial year.
Victorian councils now have until 31 March 2022 to apply for an increase above the 1.75 per cent cap.
Fees for towing vehicles damaged in road accidents and holding them in storage yards will increase by no more than broader transport costs over the next four years under a draft recommendation from the state’s economic regulator of essential services.