The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has approved the gas distribution tariffs proposed by AusNet Services, Australian Gas Networks (AGN), and Multinet for their Victorian and Albury networks. The AER has also approved the gas transmission reference tariffs proposed by APA for the Victorian Transmission System.
These tariffs comply with the requirements of each business’ 2018–22 access arrangement. The access arrangements set the cost of delivering gas supply to customers over five years, excluding movements in wholesale gas prices.
In 2021, when compared to the charges for 2020, the network component of the typical annual bill will be:
- $10.19 lower for residential customers and $30.06 lower for non-residential customers in AusNet Services’ central zone
- $0.21 lower for residential customers and $0.79 lower for non-residential customers in AGN’s central zone
- $2.19 higher for residential customers and $4.90 higher for non-residential customers in Multinet’s metro area.
In 2021 APA’s gas transmission pipeline reference tariffs will increase by between 1.26% and 4.03%.
These changes will come into effect from 1 January 2021.
These movements reflect the minimum required for the Victorian businesses to continue to provide a safe and reliable service and to meet regulatory obligations.
The average residential energy bill consists of several cost components including retail, wholesale and network costs. This decision relates to the network cost component only. It is important to note that retailers may repackage tariffs, and that different movements may be observed in other components of the retail bill, and therefore these estimated movements may not actually be realised by retail customers.
For further information, see the Statement of Reasons published alongside each approved tariff variation proposal.
The AER acknowledges that energy bills are a concern to many households and businesses at this time. The AER’s Statement of Expectations of energy businesses outlines how we are working with industry to support customers.