On 22 June 2012, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) approved an application from Powershop Australia Pty Ltd (Powershop) for electricity retailer authorisation under the National Energy Retail Law. Powershop is authorised to retail electricity as and when the National Energy Retail Law is adopted in each participating jurisdiction.
Powershop is part of the Meridian Energy Group, where activities of the Meridian Energy Group include electricity generation and retailing in New Zealand. The Meridian Energy Group also own generation assets in Australia. Powershop was granted an electricity retail licence by the Essential Services Commission of Victoria in April 2012.
The AER sought public submissions in relation to the applicant’s ability to meet the entry criteria, as prescribed by section 90 of the Retail Law, and set out in the AER’s Retailer authorisation guideline. Consultation on the applications closed on Tuesday 29 May 2012. No submissions were received.