National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) chief executive officer Suresh Manickam says that a recent suggestion from an independent advisory group arguing for a radical shake up of energy pricing structures highlights the need for mandatory energy audits and Government action to assist consumers to purchase more energy efficient devices.

The study highlights that the average household power bill in Australia rose by 70% over the past five years with energy companies being forced to invest up to $8 Billion to upgrade network infrastructure to cope with peak demand usage but argues that household bill rises would have been reduced had a system that advises consumers of peak demand days or when a maximum load is placed on the energy network, in advance be adopted. The details of the study can be found here.

“The study further highlights that mandatory energy audits and Government action is necessary to educate consumers about efficient energy use,” Suresh says.

“The costs of energy use are continuing to rise and unless change is made and further advice is provided, consumers will continue to see their power bills rise.”

“The Grattan Institute study makes it clear that consumers benefit when they are fully aware of the potential cost impacts of inefficient energy usage and in France, where this model has been in place for over twenty years, bills have dropped by 10% with consumption dropping by 45% on peak demand days.”

“NECA believes that energy efficiency should be a cornerstone of Government thinking and the more it can do to raise consumer awareness about energy consumption and the benefits of the greater use of energy efficient products at home, consumers will be winners in the long term.”