We've been talking a lot about the flawed logic of forcing demand tariffs onto residential energy consumers, and the policy and regulatory failure behind the demand tariff implementation, so we were happy to be approached by John Rolfe, the Consumer Defender journalist from The Daily Telegraph looking for some information for a story covering this issue.
The story was published across the Newscorp network on Tuesday 28 January.
This is the first time we've seen direct coverage in major media of an important point that we've been banging on about in this blog for well over a year - that while penetration of demand tariffs has been accelerating across the retail energy market, a huge gap has emerged for for energy consumers because none of the official government energy comparison services can generate a comparison for a demand tariff account.
Here's what John Rolfe had to say on that point:
... the federal price comparison website, Energy Made Easy, cannot calculate the demand charge component of bills. So it is difficult to shop around for a better deal.
The only site that can do a comparison is privately operated Bill Hero.
Nicely said, John.
The only thing I'd add is that the absence of demand tariff functionality in Energy Made Easy and Victoria Energy Compare makes it more than 'difficult' to shop around for a better deal. It makes it virtually impossible.
Not a subscriber yet? What are you waiting for! Never overpay for energy again! Bill Hero automatically compares every bill to help keep you always on the best priced plan.
NSW regulator IPART’s 2024 Annual Report finds that customers on demand tariffs face annual bills $200 to $300 higher than flat-rate or time-of-use plans
A long overdue reset to the tariff reform agenda promises better outcomes for energy consumers. Plus a new report finds that retailers really do charge residential customers more than business.
The Federal Government is funding $300 toward household energy bills in the 2024-25 financial year. Most households will receive quarterly rebates of $75 that will appear in the bills. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Richard Foxworthy
Richard Foxworthy
