NSW distributor Ausgrid is proposing, in its draft plan 2024-2029, to introduce new embedded network tariffs that would have the effect of increasing network costs by approximately 30%. The reasons that Ausgrid advance for the proposed EN Tariffs centre around the nebulous concepts of equity and fairness to other network users.
When comparing the electricity market today to the electricity market in April or May 2022, we see that there are fewer market offers available for consumers, higher prices on most market offers, and fewer retailers (with 8 retailers entering the Retailer of Last Resort scheme since 1 May 2022).
Against this background, a proposal to introduce EN Tariffs that would result in a ~30% increase in network charges (Ausgrid’s Pricing Directions Paper for 2024-2029 para 4.4.3), needs to be closely examined.
Compliance Quarter’s submission to Ausgrid is below.