Hundreds of customers have had their gas and electricity disconnected over the past two months, as the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues.
The latest figures from the state’s independent economic regulator show some energy retailers have recommenced disconnections for non-payment, which is a worrying sign for 2021 even though the figures are low compared to historical averages.
Victoria’s booming renewable energy sector is getting a shot in the arm, with the Essential Services Commission cutting red tape for new power generators and retailers to fast track their entry into the market.
The changes could halve the time it takes to process licence applications.
Commission chair Kate Symons says renewable energy is a key part of Victoria’s future and it is vitally important to ensure new generators and retailers can enter the market in a timely manner.
The number of households needing help with water bills has hit a new peak as the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to be felt across the state.
New data from the Essential Services Commission shows the number of metropolitan customers being given hardship grants in February was higher than at any other time over the past year.
The commission’s water director Marcus Crudden says just under 200 metropolitan customers were awarded hardship grants each week in February.
… changes to building based lighting upgrade (activity 34) and abn/acn evidence requirements our activity guides have been updated to reflect changes to victorian energy upgrades (veu) specifications 2018 and abn/acn evidence requirements for non-residential and ‘business’ activities. breadcrumb home changes to building based lighting upgrade (activity 34) and abn/acn evidence requirements 26 march 2021 changes to building based lighting upgrade (activity
Victoria’s independent economic regulator has reminded energy companies of their obligations to support struggling customers with disconnections rising sharply in recent weeks after being stopped for most of 2020.
The Essential Services Commission has extended temporary rules introduced in October 2020 that require energy companies to provide additional help beyond the existing safety net framework.
29 March 2021
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Switchable wattage lighting products (product category 34) consultation 2020
A year on from the first lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Victoria’s water businesses continue to provide additional support to customers, with regional customers particularly hard hit.
Changes to low flow shower roses (activity 17)
Changes to low flow shower roses (activity 17)
29 April 2021
Changes to low flow shower roses (activity 17)
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The state’s energy regulator has kicked off its next review of the Victorian Default Offer and is seeking feedback from consumers and the energy industry before issuing a decision later this year.
The Essential Services Commission today released a consultation paper setting out its proposed approach to setting the default offer price from 1 January 2022.
… cap on council rates benefits ratepayers while sector remains in good financial health 20 may 2021 a report on victoria's council rate capping system has found ratepayers on the whole are benefitting while councils were in a good place financially to respond to the initial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. the essential services commission’s report found that rate caps cut the average annual increase above inflation to zero per cent. the report shows between 2016–
A case involving an alleged attempt to defraud Australia’s biggest energy efficiency certificate scheme will be referred to police by Victoria’s Essential Services Commission.
The attempted fraud came to light when an eagle-eyed member of the public tipped us off that some electricians were faking the before-photographs to inflate the benefits of lighting upgrades in farm sheds in regional Victoria.
From 1 July this year, households and small businesses will no longer face big penalties for missing an energy bill with the state’s energy regulator putting a cap on what retailers can charge you for not making a payment on time.The Essential Services Commission has set a cap of 3.62 per cent on new energy contracts entered into from 1 July 2020, slashing the potential cost of missing a payment in half.Commission chairperson Kate Symons says limiting how much you’ll pay for missing a deadline will help
11 June 2020
Media release: Dodgy invoices found during alleged misconduct investigation of energy efficiency company
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11 June 2020
Cyanergy compliance breach
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Information for electricity and gas consumers
Learn more about your rights as an electricity and gas consumer.
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Rules are in place to ensure you are treated fairly once you have signed on with an energy retailer.
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Around 50 representatives from energy businesses, peak bodies and government came together today for a second industry roundtable, hosted by the Essential Services Commission and its chairperson Kate Symons, to understand the impact of coronavirus on the sector and on Victorian customers.
The roundtable heard there was concern that various support programs like JobKeeper and JobSeeker are likely masking a bigger problem that will emerge later in the year.
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Information for water customers
Find out more about water bills, water prices, payment support, family violence support and other services and rights available to you as a water customer
Victorian small businesses and households experiencing payment difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic stand to benefit from rule changes to be proposed by the state energy regulator.
The Essential Services Commission has published today a draft set of measures aimed at helping customers experiencing financial difficulties to pay their electricity and gas bills.
Proposed measures include giving small businesses an entitlement to access flexible payment options and advice on better priced offers.
… we implement the strategy, we will continue to engage with: regulated and administered businesses consumers and community advocates other parts of government. consultation will take the form of informal and formal processes, events and actively building partnerships with these groups. in august 2023 we released our getting to fair progress report. feedback on the draft strategy we released our draft strategy for public feedback on 6 may 2021. we received 25 submissions, from the
The Victorian energy regulator has issued new guidance to ensure households and small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic are protected as required by the state’s energy rules.
The Essential Services Commission administers the Victorian Energy Retail Code which contains some of the strictest customer protections in the nation.
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In February 2021 we completed our review of the 2021-22 minimum feed-in tariffs. Energy retailers must pay you at least the minimum for power you export to the grid from small renewable energy sources including solar panels.
View more information about the minimum feed-in tariff and how it affects you.
25 February 2021