Energy businesses that fall short of their obligations to Victorian energy consumers can expect tough action from the regulator, warned Commissioner Sitesh Bhojani as the Essential Services Commission announced its energy compliance and enforcemen
On 26 July 2023, Y.E.S. Energy (SA) Pty Ltd (ACN 627 706 594) applied for a licence to wholesale electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000.
Submissions closed on 23 August 2023. We did not receive any submissions.
On 15 September 2023 we granted the licence.
On 4 August 2023, Glenrowan Solar Farm Pty Ltd (ACN 655 353 058) applied for a licence to generate electricity for supply or sale and to sell electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000.
Consultation of this licence application closed on 1 September 2023. We did not receive any submissions.
We granted the licence on 13 September 2023.
Maximum fares for unbooked taxis will increase 4.1 per cent from 1 October 2023 following an annual fare adjustment.
The adjustment equates to an estimated increase of $0.61 for a three-kilometre trip in Melbourne’s central business district (CBD), or $2.26 to travel from the CBD to the international airport.
The Essential Services Commission has appointed Baethan Mullen as Executive Director – Victorian Energy Upgrades following a competitive recruitment search.
Report shows Victorians missed out on millions of dollars in energy bill savings last financial year
Victorian households could have saved an estimated $191 million on electricity bills and $89 million on gas bills last financial year if they had been on their retailer’s best offer, according to data from the Essential Services Commission’s latest Victorian Energy Market Report.
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9 October 2023
News update: Regulator takes action against accredited businesses over alleged inaccurate claims of energy upgrade activities and non-compliant installations
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9 October 2023
News update: Regulator takes action against accredited businesses over alleged inaccurate claims of energy upgrade activities and non-compliant installations
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AGL Sales Pty Ltd (AGL) has paid a total of $799,656 in penalties after allegedly failing to calculate its ‘deemed best offer check’ in line with the prescribed formula for 22 customers over the period March to June 2022.
An energy retailer’s ‘deemed best offer’ is typically their cheapest generally available offer. It does not include one-off gifts or sign-up credits and is based on customer energy usage over the past year.
On 5 April 2024, Shell Energy Retail Pty Ltd (ACN 126 175 460) applied for a licence to wholesale electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000.Consultations on the licence application closed on 2 May 2024. We did not receive any submissions.We granted the licence on 14 May 2024.
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AusNet Electricity Services Pty Ltd failure to maintain outage tracker during February 2024 storm event undertaking
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Electricity Distribution Code of Practice
A ban on ‘cold-call’ telemarketing under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program took effect today, with doorknocking to be banned from 1 August 2024. The bans will protect consumers from unwanted marketing phone calls and visits about the VEU program, empowering consumers to choose whether they want to be contacted for marketing purposes. Under the bans, businesses must obtain consent from consumers before telephoning or visiting them to market energy efficient upgrades, products and
Licence grantedAustralian Gas Networks (Vic) Pty Ltd was granted a gas distribution licence on 11 December 1997. Licence variedThe licence was last varied on 1 May 2024 with effect from 1 October 2024.
The Essential Services Commission has released its final decision on the Victorian Default Offer electricity price, locking in lower prices for consumers and small businesses. From 1 July 2024, the average rate Victorian Default Offer customers pay for their electricity will reduce by around $100 (or 6 per cent) for residential customers and around $260 (or 7 per cent) for small business customers.
After eight years at the Essential Services Commission, I have decided it is time to hand over the baton and not to serve another term as Chair of the Essential Services Commission. I will conclude my current term on 30 June 2024.It has been an absolute privilege and an honour to serve Victorian consumers as Chair for the last five years and as a commissioner since 2016.
ReAmped Energy Pty Ltd (ReAmped Energy) has paid $369,840 in penalties for failures related to ‘best offer’ obligations that affected 3,149 customers between 1 August 2022 and 30 June 2023.
Jess Young has been appointed as a commissioner. Her term will commence on 24 June 2024.An expert in regulatory economics, Jess is currently the Director of Networks and DER Integration, at the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action where she leads gas and electricity network regulation policy, DER integration and ZEV policy, as well as leading DEECA’s input into the Victorian Energy Minister’s engagement and decision making in the National Energy and Climate Ministerial
The Essential Services Commission has released its draft decision on South Gippsland Water’s proposed five-year pricing plan for consultation, ahead of a final decision to be issued in June.
The Essential Services Commission has released its draft decision on Central Highlands Water’s proposed five-year pricing plan for consultation, ahead of a final decision to be issued in June.