NSW power bills up 20%
[ABC]
Electricity prices are going up, despite government protests (photo: ABC/Giulio Saggin)
Electricity prices in New South Wales will rise by around 20 per cent from July 1, despite protests from the State Government.
The decision was made by Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal which released its final determination on the prices today (May 20).
For Energy Australia customers charges will rise by 21.7 per cent; Integral Energy customers will pay 21.1 per cent more; while Country Energy customers will see a 17.9 per cent increase.
The price rises were foreshadowed in March in the tribunal’s draft determination.
At the time the State Government objected – writing to both the federal energy regulator and the Tribunal asking for a review.
But the Tribunal’s Chairman Michael Keating says the price is going up anyway.
“There was absolutely no scope to move within that methodology and we made that clear at the time and that is what has happened,” he said.
Mr Keating has acknowledged the price increases will have an impact on low income households.
The New South Wales Government says it will be introducing measures to lessen the impact, in the form of rebates and other assistance funding.
