The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) today published an issues paper which sets out our proposed approach to regulating alternative energy selling models under the National Energy Retail Law (Retail Law). The paper discusses several emerging business models, including solar power purchase agreements, which differ from the traditional energy retailing model.
The issues paper identifies high level principles for the regulation of these businesses and proposes an approach to determining whether alternative energy sellers need a retailer authorisation or a retail exemption.
Invitation for submissions and stakeholder forum
We invite submissions from interested parties on the application by Friday 22 November 2013. We are also considering holding a public stakeholder forum for interested stakeholders in Melbourne (with video links to other capital cities). We ask that stakeholders interested in attending the forum note this in their submission.
Submissions should be emailed “Attention: Jacqui Thorpe, Acting General Manager, Retail Markets Branch” at AERInquiry
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (AERInquiry[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au) with the following title in the email: Alternative Energy Sellers – Issues Paper. We will take into account submissions in finalising our position.
The AER prefers that all submissions be sent in an electronic format in Microsoft Word or other text readable document form and publicly available, to facilitate an informed, transparent and robust consultation process. Accordingly, submissions will be treated as public documents and posted on the AER's website, unless prior arrangements are made with the AER to treat the submission, or portions of it, as confidential. Those wishing to submit confidential information are requested to:
- clearly identify the information that is the subject of the confidentiality claim; and
- provide a non-confidential version of the submission