The Australian Energy Market Commission (Commission) is currently undertaking a review to develop a package of law and rule changes to strengthen protections and improve access to competitive retail offers for customers who purchase power from an embedded network provider instead of buying direct from electricity retailers.

Embedded networks are private electricity distribution networks that serve multiple customers and are connected to another distribution or transmission system in the national grid through a parent connection point. They can include apartment buildings, shopping centres, retirement villages and caravan parks.

On 31 January 2019 the Commission published a Draft Report that proposes a draft package of law and rule changes for public consultation. AGL made a submission in response to the Commission’s Draft Report, a copy of which is available here.

AGL agrees with the Commission’s previous findings that the regulatory arrangements for embedded electricity networks are no longer fit for purpose, resulting in poor customer outcomes. We consider that the Commission’s proposed approach set out in the Draft Report of elevating embedded networks into the national regulatory regime will deliver substantial benefits to consumers in embedded networks.