Consumers

The Essential Services Commission (Commission) is the independent economic regulator of essential services in South Australia with the primary objective of protection of the long term interests of consumers.

The Commission has regulatory functions in a range of essential services including water, sewerage, electricity, gas, rail and maritime services.

The Commission also has a general advisory function on economic matters.

The Commission adds benefit to the South Australian community by ensuring that consumers of regulated services are adequately protected and that entities are accountable for their services, while not imposing unnecessary regulatory costs and burdens. Our robust, independent advice to Government informs, and provides an evidence base for, policy making and public consideration of economic and regulatory issues.

Energy news      

Advice to the Treasurer on 1 July 2016 SA retail electricity price increases

09 Jun 2017

On 21 April 2017, the Commission provided the Treasurer with advice on the justification for the 1 July 2016 South Australian retail electricity price increases announced by AGL, Origin Energy and EnergyAustralia, as requested by the Treasurer.

The advice concludes that the retail electricity price increases announced by AGL, Origin Energy and EnergyAustralia can be justified by movements in the wholesale cost of electricity.

Related project: Advice to the Treasurer on 1 July 2016 South Australian retail electricity price increases

 Inquiry into reliability and quality of electricity supply on the Eyre Peninsula

7 April 2017

The Treasurer has referred to the Commission an inquiry into the reliability and quality of electricity supply on the Eyre Peninsula.

The Commission will examine prudent and efficient options for improving the reliability and quality of electricity supply on the Eye Peninsula. It will submit an inquiry draft report to the Treasurer by 31 May 2017, with a final report to be  submitted by 6 October 2017. The Commission will conduct public consultation on its draft report during June-July 2017 and will be consulting directly with key stakeholders throughout the inquiry.

The Treasurer's referral of the inquiry into the reliability and quality of electricity supply on the Eyre Peninsula, and associated terms of reference, is available via the link below.

Related project: Inquiry into reliability and quality of electricity supply on the Eyre Peninsula project