Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on a rule change request from the Chair of the Competitive Metering Industry Group that would allow metering coordinators to interrupt customers’ electricity supplies to install or repair an electricity meter. 

If a customer lives in an apartment block with shared electricity connections, the supply of all customers that share the connection may need to be interrupted for metering work. In these circumstances, only distribution network businesses can disrupt supply to multiple customers.

The rule change request aims to reduce delays in installing new meters or undertaking maintenance by giving metering coordinators the ability to interrupt supply to customers, as long as they have obtained consent from the affected customers or given four business days’ notice. The metering coordinators would need to meet the same obligations relating to planned interruption notifications as distribution businesses and retailers when carrying out their work, or face penalties. 

The AEMC has published a consultation paper seeking feedback on a range of issues, including the benefits and costs of allowing metering coordinators to arrange and carry out planned supply interruptions.

Workshop

The AEMC is holding a workshop in Sydney on Thursday 19 September 2019 from 10am to 2pm, with a live webcast available for those stakeholders unable to attend in person. Stakeholders are invited to register their interest for the workshop or webcast here.

Submissions on the consultation paper are due by 10 October 2019. 

Media: Prudence Anderson, Communication Director, 0404 821 935 or DL (02) 8296 7817

Background: Metering roles and responsibilities