Published: February 17, 2010 - 01:00 PM
Power stations are one of Australia's biggest greenhouse polluters
Over the next 3 years households will pay a great deal more electricity. In some areas the price of electricity will increase by almost $900 by 2013.
Often the ETS scheme is blamed although this is not the major contributor to the massive rises. Instead more than $40 billion of the money raised from the price rises will go upgrading NSW's electricity network. Unfortunately very little money has been earmarked for spending on energy saving measures – even though this is four times more cost-effective than infrastructure spending.
This is a blow to consumers and the environment. Power stations are one of Australia's biggest greenhouse polluters and there appears to be only minimal effort in making them more efficient. If the electricity across the network could be distributed more intelligently the generation requirements would reduce and the environmental impact lessened.
In 2008 the NSW Energy and Water Ombudsman received a big increase in complaints due to electricity price rises and an increase in the number of households disconnected because they were unable to pay their bills.
In response to the higher rates the NSW State Government will raise the pensioner rebate from $112 to $130 a year and index it to the consumer price index. People receiving a Carer Allowance, the Sickness Allowance and Special Benefits payments will also receive the rebate.
Alison Walter of ShopAround.com.au said that "In New South Wales, it will be very important for consumers do their research and make sure they compare electricity companies to ensure they are getting the best deal."
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