The NSW Government has written to energy companies asking them to defer electricity bills and waive a fee for NSW households and businesses hit by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, to further ease the pressure on those recovering from the natural disaster.
Residents and business owners in northern NSW have experienced substantial disruptions to their power supply due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. It delivered heavy rain and severe winds to large areas of Northern NSW, causing extensive damage to the area’s electricity distribution network.
A total of 84,000 homes and businesses experienced power outages across various communities from Tweed Heads to Grafton, and west to Armidale. Some lost power multiple times.
Essential Energy has confirmed it will waive the daily access charge for customers for the period they were without power.
While energy retailers have not played a role in relation to the power disruptions, Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe has written to 22 companies requesting their cooperation in supporting customers who live in local government areas included in the natural disaster declaration.
The Minister has asked them to:
- waive the daily power supply charge for customers for the period they were not supplied electricity (by passing on the waiver being provided to retailers by Essential Energy);
- defer any electricity bills that are due to be sent to customers for 14 days;
- defer any disconnections or repayment requirements for 14 days for affected customers in debt or with any amount owing on their account;
- provide additional information about payment plan options and NSW Government financial support if customers find they are unable to pay their bill as a result of the cyclone impacts.
“It is important we provide as much support as possible to households and business owners who are recovering from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred,” said Minister Sharpe.
“I have written to energy retailers asking them to join Essential Energy in providing relief to customers in the natural disaster zone, and thank them in advance for any assistance they can offer,” she said.
Customers whose ability to repay their energy bills has been impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred can also apply for NSW Government Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) support to help pay their energy bills. EAPA helps people experiencing difficulty paying their electricity and/or gas bill due to a short-term financial hardship, crisis or emergency to stay connected to essential services. EAPA can only be applied to current, unpaid energy bills.
“Every bit of support counts for families, households and businesses doing it tough in the wake of this natural disaster,” said Minister for Recovery, Small Business and the North Coast, Janelle Saffin.
“Thank you for your consideration of this request during this difficult time for the residents and businesses of the Northern Rivers and North Coast.”
