Published: October 03, 2011 - 01:00 PM
Consumers should shop around to check that they are getting best electricity price
The Herald Sun has reported on Saturday that Victoria’s electricity chiefs have hit out at Victorian consumers, saying they are as much to blame for rising electricity costs as are the companies that supply and delivery and regulate the power industry in Victoria.
The Herald Sun completed a survey of the energy company bosses that run the infrastructure for Victoria’s electricity industry, including United Energy's Hugh Gleeson, Jemena chief Paul Adams, SP Ausnet's Nino Ficca, and Shane Breheny, of Citipower and Powercor.
The Herald Sun reported that the energy company bosses said "Consumers need to look after their own interests by understanding how their lifestyle and behaviour (affects) their power bills, managing their electricity use, and actively pursuing the lowest prices."
Their responses come against the backdrop of an average 20 per cent rise in Victorian electricity bills according to St Vincent de Paul. As well as admitting that electricity price rises are required to fund the replacement of old infrastructure, the energy bosses blamed consumers for using more electricity through the use of big screen TVs and air conditioners. They maintained that Victorian electricity prices are amongst the cheapest in Australia and that as a result of the strict regulatory framework, consumers were not dudded by energy companies.
Alison Walter of shoparound.com.au stated that “Victorian electricity consumers can try and save money on their electricity prices by reducing consumption wherever possible. Just by turning units off stand-by at the power point can help reduce your electricity bill."
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