The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has published a mid-year report into its compliance and enforcement activities from 1 July to 31 December 2024.
Key updates, actions, and outcomes under the AER’s compliance and enforcement priorities during this period include:
- The Federal Court ordered 4 subsidiaries of AGL Energy to pay penalties totalling $25 million for failing to comply with overcharging obligations related to Centrepay payments.
- The Federal Court ordered Origin Energy subsidiaries (together, Origin) to pay penalties totalling $12 million following admissions that Origin failed to comply with its life support obligations under the National Energy Retail Law (Retail Law) and the National Energy Retail Rules (Retail Rules).
- The AER continued proceedings in the Federal Court against Jemena subsidiaries for alleged large-scale failures to submit accurate auction quantity limits to AEMO for four pipelines and failure to ensure auction services were correctly scheduled for three pipelines.
- The AER continued proceedings in the Federal Court against Callide Power Trading for alleged failures to comply with its performance standards for the Callide C power station.
The report also outlines other compliance and enforcement actions taken and outcomes achieved by the AER in support of its strategic objectives, including acting where there are serious issues impacting consumers experiencing vulnerability and progressing important ongoing work in the wholesale electricity and gas markets.
Background
The AER is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with national energy laws and rules. The AER Compliance & Enforcement Policy explains our approach to promoting compliance with obligations under the National Electricity Law, National Gas Law, National Energy Retail Law and their associated Rules and Regulations. The policy, which provides guidance on how we respond to potential breaches and the factors we may have regard to when deciding whether to take enforcement action, should be read in conjunction with our compliance and enforcement priorities.