The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is reviewing the decision frameworks used for granting energy retailer authorisations and exemptions, to see whether they remain fit for purpose to protect energy consumers in a transitioning energy market.
To do this, we have released an issues paper and invitation to an online public forum on 5 May 2022 to discuss what needs to be considered in the review.
We seek your views on issues such as:
- the evolution of the energy sector and the new types of energy services and products arising from increased investment in distributed energy resources by consumers,
- a preliminary identification of the potential benefits and risks to consumers from new energy products and services,
- current challenges with the retailer authorisation and exemption frameworks that are likely to be exacerbated by the energy market transition, and
- potential regulatory reforms which could be introduced to mitigate potential risks.
Our review will look to consider what changes are necessary to ensure consumers are protected in the transitioning energy market and give them confidence to use emerging new energy services and products.
We welcome submissions by 5pm Friday 27 May 2022.
Our review is part of a wider plan from the Energy Security Board to effectively integrate distributed energy resources (DER), such as rooftop solar and batteries, into the National Electricity Market. Energy Security Board analysis indicates the effective integration of distributed energy resources could result in benefits of $6.3 billion over 20 years to all customers.