Businesses and households will be offered rebates on their power bills if they agree to reduce their power usage during times of extreme demand.
Text messages will ask them to switch off their air conditioners and to consider using a barbeque instead of electric cook-tops, in exchange for incentives such as rebates on their power bills, gift vouchers or movie tickets.
The trial will run in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
But speaking with the ABC, Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group, Innes Willox says whilst the initiative is welcome, it's a sad indictment.
