❓ Hon Stephen Dawson asks about the Horizon Power Power Ahead pilot scheme, hardship grants, average electricity bills, scheme uptake, and smart meter reports. The Minister provides details on the scheme's aims, hardship grant recipients, average bills, participation numbers, and Ombudsman's findings on smart meters.
AnsweredQoN 1121Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
HORIZON POWER — POWER AHEAD SCHEME
1121. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the Leader of
the House representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the Horizon Power Power
Ahead pilot scheme.
(1) What does the scheme hope to
achieve?
(2) How many
Hedland residents sought financial assistance through the hardship utility
grant scheme to assist with powers bills in 2015–16?
(3) What is the average household
electricity bill in the Perth metropolitan area and in Hedland?
(4) On what date did the scheme open
and how many users have signed up to the scheme?
(5) Have any
progress reports on smart meters in the area been undertaken; and, if so, will
the minister table the report?
1121. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the Leader of
the House representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the Horizon Power Power
Ahead pilot scheme.
(1) What does the scheme hope to
achieve?
(2) How many
Hedland residents sought financial assistance through the hardship utility
grant scheme to assist with powers bills in 2015–16?
(3) What is the average household
electricity bill in the Perth metropolitan area and in Hedland?
(4) On what date did the scheme open
and how many users have signed up to the scheme?
(5) Have any
progress reports on smart meters in the area been undertaken; and, if so, will
the minister table the report?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The aim of
the Power Ahead research pilot is to develop innovative ways of charging for
electricity in which customers would have the opportunity to save on their
bills. Participation in the pilot is voluntary and as it is a trial, those who
do participate will continue to be charged for electricity used during the
pilot at their applicable tariff rates, whilst having the opportunity to earn
money towards their electricity account—therefore, no one will be worse
off.
(2) In 2015, there were 223
residents and in 2016, there were 165 residents.
(3) For the
financial year 2016, the average home plan A1 tariff bill was $241. This
represents households in the south west interconnected system, which includes
the Perth metropolitan area. Averages of electricity bills in the Hedland area
are harder to measure and are less meaningful representations of energy usage
due to the nature of household customers in the area and seasonal fluctuations.
Horizon Power systems track energy consumption, with the average usage in
Hedland for January and February 2016, the summer billing cycle, of 2 795
units, and the average for June and July, the winter billing cycle, of 1 321
units. The tariff charged for residential customers in Hedland are equivalent
to the A1 rate charged in the Perth metropolitan area under the uniform tariff
policy.
(4) The scheme
opened on 1 September 2016. To date, 357 Port Hedland residents and business
have been approved to participate.
(5) The Ombudsman
has investigated advanced meter-related complaints and did not find any issues
with meter or billing accuracy in relation to those meters.
some notice of the question.
(1) The aim of
the Power Ahead research pilot is to develop innovative ways of charging for
electricity in which customers would have the opportunity to save on their
bills. Participation in the pilot is voluntary and as it is a trial, those who
do participate will continue to be charged for electricity used during the
pilot at their applicable tariff rates, whilst having the opportunity to earn
money towards their electricity account—therefore, no one will be worse
off.
(2) In 2015, there were 223
residents and in 2016, there were 165 residents.
(3) For the
financial year 2016, the average home plan A1 tariff bill was $241. This
represents households in the south west interconnected system, which includes
the Perth metropolitan area. Averages of electricity bills in the Hedland area
are harder to measure and are less meaningful representations of energy usage
due to the nature of household customers in the area and seasonal fluctuations.
Horizon Power systems track energy consumption, with the average usage in
Hedland for January and February 2016, the summer billing cycle, of 2 795
units, and the average for June and July, the winter billing cycle, of 1 321
units. The tariff charged for residential customers in Hedland are equivalent
to the A1 rate charged in the Perth metropolitan area under the uniform tariff
policy.
(4) The scheme
opened on 1 September 2016. To date, 357 Port Hedland residents and business
have been approved to participate.
(5) The Ombudsman
has investigated advanced meter-related complaints and did not find any issues
with meter or billing accuracy in relation to those meters.
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