Jun32024 by Jodi DonovanNo Comments
AER payment difficulty framework review

AER payment difficulty framework review

AU Energy Compliance, Compliance, Consultation
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is conducting a review of the consumer protections available under the National Energy Customer Framework (NECF) for those experiencing payment difficulties. On 14 May 2024, the AER released an issues paper for consultation. The review is driven by the commitment in Action 8 of the ‘Towards Energy Equity’ strategy in which the AER committed to considering whether improvements could be made to the NECF to ensure that consumers experiencing payment difficulties are identified early, engaged proactively, and provided with assistance tailored to their individual needs. Currently, the NECF offers various protections for consumers facing payment difficulties through regulatory instruments such as the National Energy Retail Law (NERL), National Energy Retail Rules (NERR), National Energy Retail Regulations, and the AER Customer Hardship Policy Guideline. These protections…
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Mar112024 by Jodi DonovanNo Comments
Modernising Electricity Regulation: The AES Framework and Embedded Networks in Western Australia

Modernising Electricity Regulation: The AES Framework and Embedded Networks in Western Australia

Embedded Networks, WA Energy Compliance
Background The existing licensing framework overseeing the sale and supply of electricity in Western Australia (WA) has struggled to adapt to the rapid expansion of emerging and atypical electricity business models in recent years. To address this, in 2019, the then Minister for Energy commissioned Energy Policy WA to assess the regulatory framework in Western Australia. In 2020, Energy Policy WA initiated consultations on a proposed regulatory framework for various categories of 'alternative electricity services' called the Alternative Electricity Services (AES) registration framework. This framework aims to apply customer protection obligations to persons providing electricity services through atypical business models not covered by the existing licensing framework, or where the current framework is deemed inadequate. Legislative amendments to the Electricity Industry Act 2004 (WA) to give effect to the AES…
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