Welcome to the September 2018 issue of the NEEA Electricity Update, with data updated to the end of August 2018. Electricity Update is the companion publication to the quarterly National Energy Emissions Audit Report, the next issue which is being published alongside the Electricity Update. The Electricity Update presents data on electricity demand, electricity supply...

This report is intended to stimulate public discussion about the electricity sector. Reliable, affordable electricity is crucial to New Zealand’s economy and way of life. If for no other reason than this, the electricity sector warrants periodic examination.

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has made a draft rule to help customers who are having trouble paying their bills due to hardship. The rule aims to improve retailers’ hardship policies so customers can better understand their rights and get the help they need to pay their power bills.

This paper argues that evidence is growing that highly flexible electricity systems could deliver lower whole-system costs, especially given the dramatic projected falls in solar and wind power costs by 2030.

Despite the historic inaccuracy of electricity demand and price forecasting, even in the absence of significant policy change, once again economic modelling is being used to make forecasts about the impact of changes in energy policy on the long run price of electricity in Australia.