Independent energy pricing comparison service
MakeItCheaper.com.au today warned regional
businesses that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's proposed 'super
profits' mining tax was likely to add to existing pressures on
their electricity costs - at a time when electricity prices were
already expected to rise dramatically in coming years.
Victorian small businesses, especially in regional areas, should
prepare for price hikes, with their counterparts in New South Wales
recently told by that state's pricing tribunal that Country Energy
electricity prices would rise at least 42 percent by 2012/13[1].
"Prices are on the rise due to infrastructure costs and
government policies such as the renewable energy target, any
eventual Emissions Trading Scheme, and now the 'super profits'
tax," said Make It Cheaper CEO Tim Wolfenden.
"The 'super profits' tax is likely to create extra costs for
coal and gas producers, which will inevitably be passed on to
customers," said Wolfenden. "Small businesses should be rightly
concerned about the effects of a number of government policies on
their energy bills."
To combat rising energy costs, Wolfenden advised businesses to
shop around for the best deal from electricity suppliers.
"Energy prices are going to increase every year for the
foreseeable future, but the more businesses start to switch
suppliers, the more competition there'll be in the market and
competition is what will drive suppliers to offer better deals," he
said.
MakeItCheaper.com.au provides a free price
comparison and switching service that allows businesses to find the
best available electricity and gas deals - with savings of up to
20%.
"Changing energy suppliers is something that business owners
haven't traditionally considered. But there are significant savings
to be made and, as prices rise, businesses will learn to switch
between energy companies as they do internet or telephone
suppliers," Wolfenden said.
To discover how much they can save, businesses can visit MakeItCheaper.com.au or call 1300 957 721 for a free
quote.
[1]Independent Pricing and Regulatory
Tribunal of New South Wales
http://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/files/Media%20release%20-%20Electricity%20Price%20Rises%20Change%
20-%2028%20April%202010%20-%20WEBSITE%20VERSION.PDF
About Make it Cheaper
Make it Cheaper is Australia's first business price comparison
service. Currently allowing businesses to compare gas and
electricity suppliers to find the best deal available in their
area, Make it Cheaper can save businesses up to 20%. Launched in
October last year, the service is both free and independent. To
find out how much they can save, businesses can visit MakeItCheaper.com.au or call 1300 957 721 for a free
quote.
Notes to editors:
What's involved in switching?
- Businesses throughout Victoria are able to switch between
around ten different electricity suppliers.
- Rates vary according to postcode, which can make finding the
best deal a difficult task. This is where Make It Cheaper comes
into its own - comparing the entire market, then helping businesses
switch to the cheapest deal, for free.
- Switching is seamless, with no interruption to electricity
supply. The only difference is the new supplier's name at the top
of the bill, and the price the business pays.
- Switching takes six weeks on average.
- Businesses on contract to a particular supplier often discover
that the small exit penalties on the contracts are quickly recouped
by the savings obtained by changing to a cheaper supplier.
- A typical small business has an electricity bill of around
$3,400 a year.