Australia Sees 20% Energy Price Rise

Posted on 21. May, 2009 by Ross in Energy Prices, Oceania

Businesses and households in Australia have been left facing a massive 20% increase in their energy bills, increasing the average household bill by over $200 and leaving businesses searching for energy efficiency measures to help save their companies from the extra costs during the recession.

The energy price rises are due to a decision from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), which faced pressure from energy suppliers who, without the price rises, were questioning their own willingness and ability to supply customers at current prices as well as investing in necessary new infrastructure projects.

IPART cited an increase in the cost of energy on the wholesale markets as the primary factor influencing the review’s conclusions, and whilst calling on the Australian Government to protect pensioners from the worst of the rises by increasing their rebate, businesses in particular will be hard-hit during an economic crisis already pushing them to the brink.

Businesses looking to mitigate the effects of energy price rises need to invest now in proven and efficient energy-saving technologies. Somar International is a UK-based company specialising in energy-saving products for the industrial and commercial sector, and has distributors in Australia ready to help businesses reduce their energy consumption and their energy bills. Products such as Somar’s intelligent low-energy Eluma lighting help businesses around the world save money, boost the bottom line and save carbon too. With return on investment periods as little as a year, inaction on energy efficiency will only cost more money in the long run.

Image by Little Yiye @ Flickr