Power bill cut on the way for SA consumers

South Australian power users can expect a cut in their power bills from 2020 under a new distribution plan.

South Australians can expect cheaper electricity prices from 2020 under a draft plan released by SA Power Networks.

The five-year plan to manage the state's distribution network expects to deliver a $37 cut in power bills for residential customers and a $148 cut for small to medium businesses in its first year.

Charges will then rise by less than half of inflation in the subsequent years to 2025.

"While retail and wholesale energy prices have been the cause of recent price increases in SA, we trust that customers will see that we are keeping a lid on our charges, which make up about a quarter of the residential electricity bill," SA Power Networks corporate affairs manager Paul Roberts said.

"The draft plan aims to balance the necessary investment in maintaining a safe and reliable network that can support the changing energy needs of customers in the future, with the clear desire to keep a lid on our charges."

The plan will now be subject to public consultation with a formal proposal to be submitted to the energy regulator in early 2019.

Mr Roberts said the plan would allow SA Power Networks to continue to meet all its regulatory obligations on safety, reliability and customer service and to also deliver some important improvements.

This includes work to reduce the risk of bushfires from powerlines, investment in new technology, improved cyber security, and the refurbishment of ageing assets.

SA Power Networks currently manages the distribution of electricity to 860,000 homes and businesses across South Australia.


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Source: AAP


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