The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has welcomed the energy reform update provided by Treasurer and Minister for Energy Mike Nathan at the COAG Energy Council meeting in Perth, saying WA electricity customers will be better off under national energy reforms to be introduced by the WA Government.
“The WA Government is taking the right steps to reform Western Australia’s challenging electricity market for households and businesses,” ENA Chief Executive Officer John Bradley said.
“As the engine room of the Australian economy, WA urgently needs a modern electricity market and regulation to unlock competition and put downward pressure on prices.”
He said the Government enjoyed strong national support for its integrated reform program to introduce national regulation of network services, full retail competition and new measures to encourage competition in generation.
“WA customers will benefit as the Australian Energy Regulator draws on the industry benchmarking and performance analysis being used across the rest of Australia,” Mr Bradley said.
According to him, the Government’s reform would help to remove barriers and welcome innovation and new providers.
“Western Australia has internationally high rates of solar penetration, an expensive fleet of large generators and massive geographic area for its electricity network. It has incredible potential to lead the nation in smarter, more efficient energy services, including substituting network infrastructure with distributed resources where that saves money,” Mr Bradley added.
“Retailers should be competing on the price and service benefits they can offer consumers and rewarding people who reduce peak demand. Australia needs two energy regulators about as much as it needs separate rail gauges in each State, so the WA Government deserves full marks for cutting red tape.”
