Scheme to help ease the pain of rising costs of electricity

THE state government has rolled out a new energy assistance package for households and small businesses.

Aurora Energy will provide its aurora+ app to customers free from July 1 as one of a suite of changes announced on Friday.

More than 90,000 eligible electricity concession account holders will automatically receive a $180 discount on their next bill after August 1, while an expanded energy saver loan scheme will provide up to $10,000 in interest-free loans for private residents, landlords and businesses to invest in energy-efficient products.

The rollout comes as the state’s economic regulator last week agreed to a 12 per cent rise in power prices for small businesses and residential users.

Energy and Renewables Minister Guy Barnett said the government was focusing on vulnerable people.

“The government is taking a targeted approach with a new winter energy assistance package to support those who need it most and to give Tasmanian families and small business the tools they need to lower their bills as well as future-proof against bill shock,” he said.

“We will also continue to monitor cost-of-living pressures on Tasmanians and stand ready to respond with further measures if required.”

Mr Barnett said the government wanted to ensure as many Tasmanians as possible were signed up to the aurora+ app over the next year because of the “greater visibility” it gave to people trying to monitor their electricity use.

“Tasmanians using aurora+ are significantly less likely to experience bill shock and their debt levels are significantly lower than customers who don’t,” he said.

Aurora’s YES financial hardship incentive program will be extended for another 12 months to July 24, with residential customers who meet their quarterly payment commitments to receive a credit to the value of their next fortnightly instalment, up to $200.

Tasmanian Council of Social Service CEO Adrienne Picone said she was pleased to see the government’s recognition of “the strain” created by the price increase.

“It was positive to see the removal of the aurora+ product fee, which is a barrier to 90,000 Tasmanians accessing its benefits,” Ms Picone said.

“TasCOSS has been persistent in calling for the removal of the additional aurora+ fee.”