Energy-Tec engaged with Energy Policy WA last week to clarify if the Premiers recent announcement for a $500 electricity credit for small businesses and charities impacted by the five-day lockdown imposed on the Perth, Peel and South West regions would apply to WA business owners operating within privately owned electrical distribution networks (e.g. Embedded Networks).

We thank Energy Policy WA for the following response:

“I can confirm that the $500 offset is intended to reach eligible embedded network customers”.

“The process for achieving this is under development, and we are currently advising interested businesses that the WA.gov.au website will be updated with details of the application process once they are available”.

This is great news for eligible small WA businesses operating within embedded networks as many were not included as part of the $2,500 rebate last year, which was only available to direct Synergy and Horizon Power customers.

Energy-Tec, with support from the Property Council Australia (PCA) WA and Strata Communities Association (SCA) WA has been advocating to the WA Government since last year; that all businesses (and residents) should be eligible for rebates and offsets, including those within embedded networks.

This decision is an acknowledgement by the WA government in recognising the eligibility of all small businesses and charities consuming energy, regardless of the retailer in the electricity supply chain.

Energy Policy WA will advise Energy-Tec when the www.wa.gov.au  website has been set up for businesses to submit applications.

“Behind the scenes our Energy-Tec Team has been committed to addressing challenges and solving critical problems for our clients to ensure that services are continued to be delivered like “business as usual”.

The last year has been challenging and many businesses have had to change the way in which they deliver services.

Despite lockdown measures and phased restrictions it has still been extremely important to maintain a regular meter reading and billing service to our clients, including commercial, retail, strata and residential sectors. During these phases, Energy-Tec has continued provided meter reading services as an essential service, committed to supporting clients by providing accurate readings, bill reconciliations and tenancy statements.

We have developed specific protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic for meter reading that will ensure the safety of our community and our teams.

This includes for the meter readers on site:

• Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Washing hands with hand sanitiser if hand washing facilities not available.
• Maintaining social distancing with anyone else on-site.
• Tracking and monitoring movements of field services team in relation to medium-high risk COVID-19 exposure sites.

Where access to a property is not available (such as during lockdown phases), Energy-Tec try to re schedule a suitable time to come back to read the meters.

Where a reading is unable to be safely taken within a timely manner, Energy-Tec has a reliable methodology for estimation of electricity consumption to continue the billing cycle without disruption.

Why is it important to continue the billing cycle without disruption?

There are a number of benefits to ensuring consistency of tenancy statements including;

• It assists the strata/property manager in its critical role of maintaining a consistent cash flow for the property;
• It is the obligation of the owner to pay for the utility bills and prompt tenancy bills aid in cost recovery; and
• To minimise tenant complaints of inconsistency in payments and disruption and issues with managing personal cash flow in uncertain times.

Looking to the future….

Our Technical team has continued to deliver meter network audits and upgrades, embedded network conversions and the project management of solar and integration into our billing cycle.

Energy-Tec has been able to navigate its way through this unprecedented time, continuing to deliver core meter reading and billing services to our valued clients, and will continue to in the future.

1 May 2020 marked the day that Western Australia’s strata laws changed for the first time in over 30 years. The modernised strata reform has led to more clear and fair rules for Western Australians who own, occupy or are interested in purchasing strata-titled properties.

A 10-year maintenance plan and reserve fund has become a requirement for certain strata schemes. This applies to schemes with more than 10 lots or a replacement value of over $5 million for buildings or common property improvements. If your strata doesn’t fall into these requirements, you may like to still prepare a 10-year plan or have a reserve fund, although not required.

So why do I need a 10-year plan?

• Future-proof your strata
• Stay atop of any maintenance and repairs that may arise
• Ensure funds are available when needed

The 10-year plan details any anticipated maintenance, repair, renewal or replacement requirements for any property within the strata, likely to arise in the next 10 years. Costs and timeframes are estimated and accounted for.

Not only does the condition of your existing energy infrastructure need to be considered in your plan, this infrastructure could actually help fund it. 

Antiquated submetering, solar panels to heat your pool or reduce your electricity costs, electric vehicle (EV) chargers to support the rapid intake and battery energy storage systems all needs to be considered. Whether you want to upgrade your existing infrastructure or install something new, we are here to help.

How can we fund our 10-year plan through our strata’s energy?

There are a few ways…

• Get the best buy price on your electricity. An embedded network usually means more contestable rates than if your lot is individually metered. Learn more about Energy-Tec’s procurement process here. Maybe individual occupants won’t necessarily notice a difference to their bills, but the extra savings will be offsetting their levies meaning less out-of-pocket expenses.
• The revenue generated from your solar can be put straight back into your reserve fund.
• Offset energy costs by using your solar and battery storage during peak times, leaving more money in owners pockets to go into the reserve fund, rather than an additional expense.

Makes sense, right?

 

REMEMBER
Your 10-year plans must be submitted for approval at the first annual general meeting (AGM) held after 1 May 2021. The plan must be approved by the owners by ordinary resolution (so more than half of the people present).

Energy-Tec can help, get in touch today.

On Sunday, 4 October 2020 the McGowan Government announced a one-off WA Household $600 Electricity Credit to help families ahead of the holiday season. At the time, eligibility criteria for WA residents not with Synergy or Horizon Power was unclear.

It has been confirmed that if an occupant has incurred electricity costs at their primary place of residence (within an Embedded Network) as at 4 October 2020, they are eligible to receive this credit.

On Sunday, 4 October 2020 the McGowan Government announced that every WA household would be eligible to receive a one-off $600 electricity bill credit in a bid to support household spending, the WA economy and local jobs.

For households in WA who are billed directly from Synergy or Horizon Power, this credit will be automatically applied to their household electricity bill from November 1. Initial information was unclear for residents billed by other electricity providers – including those within embedded networks.

Households that are billed by other providers and that were registered for the Energy Concession Extension Scheme (ECES) on or before 4 October 2020, will also receive the credit automatically.

As Western Australia’s leading embedded network specialists, Energy-Tec have been communicating with Energy Policy WA to advocate on behalf of their clients.

When Energy-Tec’s clients occupying residential assets (mainly strata residential complexes and retirement living villages) reached out to Energy-Tec for support and further clarity on how the $600 rebate will apply to them, Mark Timson, Energy-Tec’s General Manager – Energy Markets, enquired with Energy Policy WA to make provisions so that residents at properties that are within embedded networks aren’t overlooked.

“Making provision for delivering the $600 payment to households within embedded networks is critical in order for the WA Government to deliver on its promise that “Every WA household [will] receive a $600 electricity bill credit”, says Mr. Timson on the importance of extending this credit to those residing within embedded networks.

Further to Energy-Tec’s comments to The West on Friday, 16 October 2020, Energy Policy WA has updated their website with details outlining a solution for those within embedded networks to be eligible for this credit.

Embedded network property types that are entitled to this credit include – strata residential apartment buildings and lots, retirement living villages and caravan parks.

If within an embedded network, to be eligible for this credit, residents must –

• apply online between December 2020 and March 2021
• be a tenant / owner-occupier and hold responsibility for the payment of electricity costs

As a resident within an embedded network, when applying for the credit online, the $600 payment per household will be made by a direct electronic funds transfer (EFT) into the bank account details provided in the online form.

Customers who utilise Energy-Tec’s Utility Statement’s as supporting evidence of energy usage will be required to provide a copy of this and/or a copy of an invoice from your management company recouping the costs as an owner or tenant.

Further information on how to apply for this application will be made available in November 2020 on the ‘COVID-19 coronavirus: Latest updates’ website.

Electricity Tariff Rates

The FY20/21 Electricity Tariff Price changes are subject to Business Gazetted Tariffs only. Please be advised that the S1, T1, M1 gazetted tariffs are set by Synergy and not the WA State Budget. Please note changes to the percentage increases below.

Synergy and the WA State Government have advised that there is no increase to the A1 Regulated Residential Tariff this year.

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Gas Tariff Rates

Please be advised that retail Gas Tariffs will not be increasing in 2020.

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Water Tariff Rates

From 1 July 2020, a 2.5% increase will apply to non-residential water use and service charges for water, wastewater and drainage

Service charges: In line with the Gross Rental Value (GRV) revaluation, some metropolitan businesses may see a decrease or a maximum increase of 2.5% on their drainage charges.

Water use charges: In response to COVID-19, the State Government has placed a a freeze on residential fees and charges, including water charges.

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Bill-Tec Billing System Update

Energy-Tec have updated all gazetted tariff rates in our billing system from 1 July 2020 reflective of the rates published in the Western Australian Government Gazette.

For properties with custom rates, no changes will be applied unless we are otherwise advised.