Regulator-General reports on electricity performance

The Treasurer, Alan Stockdale, has welcomed the latest report by the Office of the Regulator-General, which shows Victoria's five electricity distribution companies have continued to improve average reliability and service levels for their customers.

The Regulator-General, Dr John Tamblyn, found the companies had maintained service levels since the industry was restructured in 1994 well above those achieved by the State Electricity Commission.

The half-year report details performance levels in key areas from January to June 1998 and compared them with the same period in previous years.

Companies have reduced the average number of minutes off supply by seven per cent, from 116 to 108 minutes, with CitiPower and United Energy recording the highest reductions.

Mr Stockdale said the report showed the companies had dramatically reduced the level of minutes off supply in many previous power feeder "hotspots" in suburban and country areas.

The report showed the number of residential customers disconnected for non-payment remained small at 5511 or 0.3 per cent, well below 1995 and 1996 despite a 10 per cent rise during the six months.

"The pressure of comparison has been a valuable and welcome addition to the Victorian electricity industry and generated clear benefits for customers," Mr Stockdale said.

"The ORG report puts real pressure on companies performing below scratch, whether it is inadequate maintenance of street lighting or increasing disconnections for failure to pay power bills. The electricity industry has never had this spotlight of public accountability before.

"It is welcomed that the underperforming companies have already prepared plans to overcome those problems. This shows that accountability, competition and the independent regulator all work positively for customers.

"The report is also a clear indication of the companies' commitment to respond to customer pressure to constantly improve levels of service in the lead-up to full contestability in January 2001 when they are able to choose which company supplies their power."

(News Release, Office of the Treasurer, 8 January 1999)
(News Release, Office of the Regulator-General, 8 January 1999)
Download Full Report - Electricity Performance Report - 1 January 1998 - 30 June 1998