Electricity costs Victoria: Household power bills soar

HOUSEHOLD electricity bills have soared more than 119 per cent in Victoria over the past decade, with families now ­paying $1837 a year on average.

A political war over energy ­pricing has deepened ahead of next month’s closure of Hazelwood power station.

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• Liberals would let Federal Government set SA’s renewable energy target

HOUSEHOLD electricity bills have soared more than 119 per cent in Victoria over the past decade, with families now ­paying $1837 a year on average.

The new analysis comes as a political war over energy ­pricing deepens ahead of next month’s closure of Hazelwood power station.

Figures show electricity costs as a share of the average family budget rose 73 per cent — making it the fastest-rising single cost.

A political war over energy ­pricing has deepened ahead of next month’s closure of Hazelwood power station.

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But the Australian National University modelling shows Victorians still enjoy prices below the national average, with Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania yearly bills now in excess of $2000.

Heatwave conditions across Australia’s east coast has ­renewed scrutiny on power ­security following last week’s blackout in South Australia.

The Australian Energy Market Operator has been in ongoing discussions with the Andrews Government over potential supply issues during extreme heat once steady ­baseload supply from Hazelwood is no longer available.

AEMO acting executive general manager Joe Adamo said the change to ­Victoria’s energy mix needed careful planning. Some issues causing concern include transmission capabilities once new sources of energy — such as extra wind power turbines — are brought online.

AUSTRALIA EXPERIENCES BLISTERING SUMMER HEATWAVE

Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio defended the government’s renewable energy target on Monday, after the ­Coalition said it would dump the target if it won the 2018 election.

“Victoria has the cheapest, most reliable power supply in Australia and will continue to be a net exporter of electricity after Hazelwood closes,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“Renewables, gas power stations and energy storage will together grow thousands of jobs, attract billions in investment, cut the cost of power bills and enhance grid resilience.”

The Andrews Government and state Labor counterparts face pressure to justify overlapping renewable energy targets at a time when blackouts and power shortages are deepening concerns about the cost and security of power.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said a Liberal-National government would look at new technology in existing coal-fired stations to reduce emissions but “guarantee baseload supply”.

Grattan Institute energy program director Tony Wood said the summer of 2017-18 would pose a challenge for the government once Hazelwood was unavailable for guaranteeing supply during heatwaves.

“What tends to happen is if one thing goes wrong, you are fine, but if there’s two or three things that go wrong then you are not,” he said.

SOLAR RELIEF IN STORE FOR SOME

AUSTRALIANS are storing their solar power in a bid to protect themselves from power price rises.

New research by Sunwiz showed 6500 home battery systems were installed across Australian homes in 2016 — 13 times more than in 2015.

Mt Martha homeowner Sally Brook said being able to store the power generated from her 20 solar panels meant she was able to rely more heavily on renewable energy at night and during winter.

“When we moved into our new house, we were getting $800 electricity bills quarterly, it was just ridiculous,” she said.

“Knowing electricity was only going up and having three teenagers between 15 and 19, we thought we’d see what solar was like.

“We got a battery installed in the hope that we would increase our electricity efficiency and eventually stop having to pay big bills.”

Sally Brook has 20 solar panels and is now looking to have a second and third battery installed in hope of one day living entirely off sustainable energy. Picture: Jason Edwards

Ms Brook said she didn’t realise how immediate the benefits of the battery would be and was now looking to have more installed.

As of January 1, close to 302,000 solar panels had been fitted on roofs across Victoria.

Sunwiz managing director Warwick Johnston said the popularity of batteries was going to keep growing and predicted a threefold increase in the number of installations this year.

“Now, more than ever, families are looking for the whole package — panels and storage — to shield themselves from increasing power prices,” he said.

“Australians recognise we have a great renewable energy source as a sun-loving nation and people like being able to own their energy.”

While installation was costly, Mr Johnston said households should see a saving of about $2000 each year.

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