The Minister for Energy has commenced the Gas Tariffs Review, which is a detailed study of gas retail tariff arrangements under the Energy Coordination (Gas Tariffs) Regulations 2000 (the “Tariff Regulations”). The Office of Energy has responsibility for completing the Gas Tariffs Review and preparing recommendations for the Minister’s consideration.

Interim Report

The Office of Energy has prepared an Interim Report detailing adjustments to the gas tariff caps under the Tariff Regulations to take effect on 1 July 2008. The Minister for Energy has endorsed the implementation of the recommended interim adjustments to the tariff caps.

Link to Office of Energy Interim Report
Link to the Minister for Energy’s Media Statement 20 June 2008

Background

The Tariff Regulations apply to the Mid-West/South West (including the Perth metropolitan area), Albany and Kalgoorlie-Boulder supply areas; and cap the retail price of gas to small use customers (residential and small business customers using less than 1 terajoule of gas per year) in the areas covered by the Regulations.

The Gas Tariffs Review emanated from the findings of the Gas Tariff Regulations Review, which was completed by the Minister for Energy in October 2007. The Gas Tariff Regulations Review Report found that:

• There is currently insufficient competition in the gas retail market in Western Australia to justify removal of the Tariff Regulations.
• There are upward pressures on the cost to retail gas to small use customers in the areas covered by the Tariff Regulations. These cost pressures may impact on the viability of gas retailers and may act as a barrier to entry in the gas retail market if the tariff caps are maintained at their current level.

The Tariff Regulations Review Report recommended that a more detailed investigation of the level and structure of tariffs under the Tariff Regulations should be undertaken; and implications for differentiation of products and services, and the ability for customers to select appropriate products should be taken into account as part of this process. These recommendations are the genesis for the Gas Tariffs Review. Read more about the Gas Tariff Regulations Review.

Issues Paper – Public Comments

Click on the following link for information on the Gas Tariffs Review Issues Paper.

Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference provide details on the scope of the Gas Tariffs Review.

Link to the Gas Tariffs Review Terms of Reference

Contact Us

Contact us if you would like to:

• Register your interest and receive more information regarding the Gas Tariffs Review;
• Participate in the consultation process by submitting your comments; or
• Provide feedback on this review.

Please send us an email to the following address:

Gas.Tariffs.Review@energy.wa.gov.au