ENERGY PRICE CONTROLS AND
ENFORCED HIKES COST NSW BUSINESSES $148 MILLION
-
$600 increase in average business electricity bill
this year
- The 10%
average increase will cost NSW businesses nearly $148
million[i]
- Price
controls stifle competition and increase costs for NSW
businesses
Sydney - 29 September, 2010: NSW businesses will feel the shock
of the July 1 price hike as electricity bills hit doormats this
month.
The average SME will see an increase of anywhere from $500 to
$1000 over the next 12 months, although Country Energy customers
could see increase 30-60% greater than other customers in New South
Wales.
NSW businesses are currently crippled by some of the most
expensive electricity in the country due to government regulated
pricing, imposed price hikes and lack of competition.
Pricing is scheduled to further increase over the next two
years, with the average electricity cost expected to rise by 15% in
2011 then a further 25% in 2012. Retail regulation until 2013
plus the potential carbon tax will push the cost of electricity
even higher.
Tim Wolfenden, CEO of MakeItCheaper.com.au, the independent
business energy price comparison service, believes that although
the market is highly regulated, larger businesses can still find a
better deal on their electricity costs.
"When bills hit mats this month businesses will be reeling from
the high prices. Hikes like this could devastate many businesses,
but there is a way to keep those costs down," he explains.
"As competition across NSW begins to creep in, large businesses
can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars by just switching
their energy supplier. Even if they think they are locked
into contracts, the savings often outweigh the penalties," he
added.
Common Electricity Supplier Myths Busted
- It's too hard to switch: Switching
supplier is easy - it only take a few minutes to complete the paper
work, which can all be done over the phone
- My power will get cut off: Switching
is seamless - your electricity supply will not be affected.
The only difference will be the supplier's name at the top of the
bill, and the price you pay
- There's no saving to be made: There's
a range of electricity suppliers operating in New South Wales - all
of these are vying for your business, offering cheaper rates to
beat the old traditional suppliers
How to switch with Make It Cheaper:
- Call Make It Cheaper on 1300 95 77 21 and
we'll search the entire market for a cheaper deal
- Fax your most recently electricity bill directly to Make It
Cheaper (including your contact details) on 02 9423
4648. We'll search the entire market and call you back
with a cheaper deal
About www.makeitcheaper.com.au
Make It Cheaper is Australia's first dedicated
business price comparison service. Acting as an independent energy
broker, Make It Cheaper is helping Australian
businesses make their electricity and gas bills cheaper, by
offering a free and independent comparison and switching
service.
- Ends -
Notes to Editors
[i][i] REF: based on average bill of
$6000 per year for 247,000 NSW businesses
For further information contact:
Karen Tearney
Re:Public PR
karen@republic-pr.com
0410 743 151