Dom van den Berg, Chief Executive Energy Networks Australia responds to AEMC’s residential price outlook:

“The Australian Energy Market Commission’s (AEMC) Residential Electricity Price Trend report shows where cost pressures arise, and why we must consider the whole energy system including wholesale markets, firming, networks, consumer energy resources (CER) and policy settings together, not in isolation.

“The biggest risk the AEMC identifies is the slowing of the buildout of new renewables, transmission and firming which would drive prices sharply higher. The clear opportunity is for Australians to lead this transition through the continued uptake of EVs, solar and batteries.

“The whole sector including industry, policymakers and regulators must stay eyes-wide-open on this, and work to keep the total cost stack down and support uptake of coordinated CER. But we cannot ignore the inequity facing customers who can’t install solar and batteries and EVs; these customers are increasingly exposed to price volatility.

“The analysis confirms what networks are seeing nationwide: network prices remain broadly stable over the decade, even as major investment continues.
“A fair transition requires whole-of-system thinking and policies that ensure every Australian benefits – not just those able to invest in new technology.”

You can view the AEMC Residential Electricity Price Trends report here

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Additional information:
• ENA is the national industry body representing Australia’s electricity transmission and distribution and gas distribution networks. Our members provide more than 16 million electricity and gas connections to almost every home and business across Australia.

Media enquiries: Kirsten Hodgon, news@energynetworks.com.au, 0404 306 819