The AEMC has today called for public comment on its issues paper for the review: Power of choice - giving consumers options in the way they use electricity.
This review will identify options for more efficient electricity consumption through cost effective demand side participation. This issues paper starts a nationwide public consultation on how to inform consumer choice in electricity consumption decisions and enable management of electricity bills.
The review will also examine market conditions which need to be in place to enable cost-effective choices by consumers in relation to how and when they use electricity.
Interested members of the community have an opportunity to contribute to the AEMC's consideration of:
- how electricity is consumed and priced;
- the effectiveness of energy efficiency regulations; and
- efficient adoption of new technologies,
Peak demand is growing at a much faster rate than average demand resulting in investment in infrastructure across the nation for use on only a few hours a year to meet customers reliability expectations. Managing demand, particularly peak demand, and providing an alternative means of achieving reliability expectations has the potential to reduce future network investment.
The review is a combined state, territory and federal government initiative - directed by the Ministerial Council on Energy.
The issues paper seeks stakeholder feedback on the range of demand side participation options that are, or could be, available to consumers and other parties as well as the conditions that need to be in place to facilitate take-up of those options that are cost effective. The next stage of the review will then consider the market and regulatory arrangements needed to promote more efficient electricity use.
The due date for submissions to questions raised by the issues paper is 26 August 2011.