The Commission released a discussion paper for public consultation titled "Monitoring the Development of Energy Retail Competition in South Australia".
The purpose of the Discussion Paper is to outline a proposed approach to monitoring the development of gas retail competition in South Australia, with the aim of combining this with the electricity Full Retail Competition (FRC) monitoring approach (as outlined in the August 2003 "Monitoring the Development of Electricity Retail Competition in South Australia - Position Paper").
Once comments are received on the Discussion Paper, the intention is to release an Energy FRC Position Paper (to cover both electricity and gas), which would provide an integrated framework for monitoring the development of competition in the South Australian energy retail markets in future.
Submissions on the Discussion Paper are requested by 30 July 2004.
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The Commission has released its Final Decision on “Monitoring the Development of Energy Retail Competition in South Australia”, which sets out the detailed framework for the assessment of energy retail competition in South Australia.
The final approach outlined in the paper has been informed by submissions received on the earlier June 2004 Discussion Paper, but has retained the broad framework outlined in the Discussion Paper.
Consistent with the approach the Commission has been applying to date in monitoring the development of the electricity retail market, seven key indicators will be monitored, covering aspects such as the level of retailer activity, extent of customer awareness and switching, extent and nature of offerings made by retailers and barriers to entry faced by retailers.
The Commission does not intend to engage in another formal round of consultation at this stage, but welcomes receiving comments at any stage from interested parties, and such comments will be considered in any future modification to the competition indicators.
The September 2004 Statistical Report is due to be released shortly, which will be the first of the six-monthly substantive energy FRC monitoring reports to be issued adopting the modified framework.
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