The Minister for Energy (the “Minister”) has tabled in Parliament a report following a review of the operation and effectiveness of the Energy Co-ordination (Gas Tariffs) Regulations 2000 (the “Tariff Regulations”).
The findings of the Review, as detailed in the Review Report, are that there is insufficient competition in the “small use” gas market in Western Australia to warrant the removal of the Tariff Regulations.
The Review Report also concludes that given the limited potential for competition in the short-term, a more detailed study of the level and structure of gas tariffs should be undertaken by an expert consultant engaged by the Office of Energy.
Click on the link below to read the Review Report:
Tariff Regulations Review Report
The Tariff Regulations cap the retail price of gas to small use customers (households and small business customers using less than 1 terajoule of gas per year) in the areas to which the Tariff Regulations apply. This includes the Mid-West/South West (including the Perth metropolitan area), Albany, and Kalgoorlie-Boulder areas.
Clause 8 of the Tariff Regulations requires that the Minister conduct a review of the operation and effectiveness of the Tariff Regulations by 18 October 2007; and that, in the course of the review, the Minister must give consideration to the need for continuation of the Tariff Regulations, having regard to:
The Minister requested that the Office of Energy conduct the Tariff Regulations Review, having regard to the above matters.
The Tariff Regulations also require that the Review Report be laid before each House of Parliament as soon as practicable after it is prepared.
The Office of Energy released a Gas Tariff Regulations Review Issues Paper for a four week consultation period and sought submissions from all interested parties.
Four submissions were received in response to the Issues Paper, which can be downloaded from the following links:
For further details on the Tariff Regulations Review contact:
Matthew Martin
A/Senior Manager - Markets
Office of Energy
DID: (08) 9420 5683
Tel: (08) 9420 5600
Email: matthew.martin@energy.wa.gov.au
