Won't matter – energy prices still set to soar in 2012
If there was ever a time to turn to solar energy, it would be this coming year. Increased electricity prices have been in the pipeline for some time, but we now know they will be hitting Victorians harder than expected. Fixed supply charges, acquired even before a single switch is flipped, will increase by up to a whopping 34% from this January and result in a cost of more than $400 per year for many households.
An analysis by St Vincent De Paul's estimates that a typical family's power bill will increase by up to 13 per cent in 2012, and families will be paying up to $155 extra a year for electricity alone, or combined gas and electricity. Energy analyst Gavin Dufty said fixed supply charges would jump 15-34 per cent in Melbourne's inner and outer east, sandbelt and Mornington Peninsula; 12-27 per cent in the inner west, north and inner CBD; 15-28 per cent in the state's regional and rural west; and 10-16 per cent in the regional and rural east and north.
Energy retailers are blaming higher wholesale and distributors' network charges, along with the cost of government green energy target schemes.
State energy Minister Michael O'Brien said the government would continue to advocate for a more active examination of federally regulated network and metering charges. He further stated that the government will continue to promote the "highest possible competitiveness among Victorian energy retailers", as well support improved price disclosure arrangements through the government's website yourchoice.vic.gov.au.
Meanwhile, government solar energy rebates and increased global production of solar energy panels means that solar power is now cheaper than ever, and a cost-effective alternative to soaring electricity prices.
