From 1 January 2005, small businesses – such as small corner shops with an annual electricity bill of approximately $8,000 – have been eligible to choose their electricity supplier. There are around 12,500 small businesses in this category.
Contestable customers are able to seek alternative and more attractive terms and conditions from retailers competing to supply them.
However, these businesses retain the option of remaining on the uniform tariff rates that all retailers will be obliged to offer as part of their licence conditions.
Click here to view an information brochure on the reduction in the contestability threshold
A Customer Transfer Code was established to enable the transfer of customers between retailers. The Code sets out the rules that govern the provision of information relating to contestable customers and the obligations on retailers and network operators in processing and implementing the transfer of customers.
Click here to obtain a copy of the Electricity Industry Customer Transfer Code 2004 (gg233)
Protecting Small Business
While electricity reform will deliver significant benefits for business, the State Government has placed a high priority on protecting smaller consumers Small customers are defined as those consuming less than 160 megawatt hours per annum, which represents an annual electricity bill of around $28,000.
An essential element of the reform proposal is the retention of the uniform tariff, which means the maximum price paid by small business customers is the maximum price paid by metropolitan household consumers.
Other residential and small business customer protection measures include:
Click here for further information on customer protection measures
If you want to find out more about how electricity reform benefits business, contact the Office of Energy on (08) 9420 5600 or by email to enquires@energy.wa.gov.au
