16 December 2021
Updates to the Victorian Energy Upgrades lighting product application guide
We have released an updated lighting product application guide which:
… requirements. upgrade product(s) (geo-tagged photographs of the installed parts) – activity 43b(i) and 43b(ii) we have amended the evidence requirement to allow a document from the manufacturer listing the various components of the system, as per victorian energy upgrades program specifications. a photograph of the system’s nameplate can also be provided as an alternative to supplying photographs of the nameplate of each installed part. temperature factor (geo-tagged photograph of the
Residential and business
Water heating and space heating/cooling activities for residential and business.
Penalty notices
AusNet Electricity Services penalty notices 2021 (planned interruptions)
(pdf, 7.52 MB)
Further information
20 January
Powercor Australia Ltd has paid $250,000 in penalties after allegedly failing to notify 162 Victorian customers of a planned power interruption.
Powercor reported to the commission that in March 2021 it failed to provide advance notice to 162 customers on the Bellarine Peninsula of a power outage while carrying out planned maintenance work. One of those customers was registered as requiring life support equipment that relied on electricity supply.
… follows the release of the updates to the victorian energy upgrades regulations 2018 on 14 december 2021. the changes include: introduction of a new commercial and industrial heat pump water heater activity (activity 44) removal of building based lighting upgrade activity at sites required to comply with part j6 of the building code of australia (activity 34 j6) from the program implementation of a reduced high intensity discharge (hid) incentive for lamps under
Hundreds of Victorian water customers are continuing to receive assistance to cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the latest data from the state’s regulator.
The Essential Services Commission data shows water businesses are continuing to reach out to customers, including small business and other non-residential customers.
The Essential Services Commission welcomes the Port of Melbourne’s withdrawal of its rebalancing application.
The commission consulted on the port’s application over four weeks from December 2020 until 1 February. During this process, a host of issues were raised by stakeholders which led to a series of discussions with the Port of Melbourne over recent weeks and ultimately, resulted in withdrawal of the application.
The commission notes the port’s commitment to providing further opportunities to port
Wednesday 24 February 2021, 3-4.30pm (via Zoom)
Representatives from leading community support organisations have told the state’s energy and water regulator that more Victorians are reaching out now for help than at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Calls to the National Debt Helpline have soared in recent weeks and complaints to the Energy and Water Ombudsman of Victoria increased by 55 per cent in January.
Powershop has paid penalties totalling $300,000 for allegedly discriminating against Victorian households with rooftop solar.
The Essential Services Commission found the energy retailer, under its Kogan Energy brand, offered solar customers more expensive plans than non-solar customers, which goes against the state’s energy rules.
Our 2021 report on the outcomes of rate capping in Victoria identifies any impacts or trends that might be emerging across the local government sector.
The outcomes report provides information about councils’ service, infrastructure and financial outcomes.
You can download information related to your council and view our over-arching report.
The report covers 2016–17 to 2019–20
We have completed two outcomes reports since the introduction of rate capping in the 2016–17
The past 12 months of economic challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic has seen the number of Victorian customers in hardship programs steadily increasing, with metropolitan Melbourne hit the hardest, according to data collected by the Essential Services Commission.
While water businesses have been supporting customers, including small business and other non-residential customers, to ensure they are aware of existing support programs, the number of customers in debt or struggling has grown
18 December 2020
Your feedback on switchable wattage lighting products (product category 34)
(pdf, 158.72 KB)
18 December 2020
The issue involving products with switchable wattage setting
A key role of the commission is to safeguard the integrity of the VEU
Following advice from the Essential Services Commission, the Minister for Local Government, Shaun Leane has announced council rates will be capped at 1.5 per cent for the year ahead.
Victorian councils now have until 31 March 2021 to apply for an increase above the 1.5 per cent cap.
The average rate cap set is the maximum percentage increase allowable in councils’ average rates for the forthcoming financial year.
… of the original baseline environment. on 13 november 2020, the commission published a program update with the proposed changes to the evidentiary requirements for high-bay product replacements and asked stakeholders for feedback. initial proposal as per program update from 13 november 2020 table 1 shows the initial changes we proposed to make to the building based lighting upgrade activity guide for high-bay product replacements, in addition to the current evidentiary requirements listed
Victoria’s economic regulator is calling for feedback on proposed new customer service standards from electricity distributors aimed at reducing the time taken to connect electricity to new Victorian housing developments.
The proposed standards have been developed by distributors following a review by the Essential Services Commission aimed at addressing extensive wait times for connections in greenfield development areas.
Acting director of energy Dean Wickenton says the new standards will be helpful
The state’s independent water regulator has reduced the maximum interest water businesses can charge customers who don’t pay bills on time, from 3.9 per cent to 2.9 per cent.
Each year the commission sets the maximum interest rate water businesses may charge customers for unpaid bills, based on up-to-date information on borrowing rates.
Pricing director Marcus Crudden said that while the reduction provides additional protection for customers struggling to pay their bills, many were not currently being
More information
Find out more about program requirement for accredited persons, in accordance with COVIDSafe practices.
Coronavirus requirements in the Victorian Energy Upgrades program
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4 June 2021
New coronavirus
Any plan offered to a non-renewable energy customer must also be offered to a renewable energy customer on the same tariffs, terms and conditions. A renewable energy customer includes a residential customer with roof top solar system.
Additional information on guidance
The commission considered section 23C of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 and provides the following guidance, issued on 9 June 2021.
16 June 2021
New coronavirus restrictions
On 16 June the Victorian Government announced changes to restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria to commence from 11:59pm Thursday 17 June.