Almost $300,000 has been spent on the first stages of a Consumer Information and Price Comparison site that will help consumers compare power prices online.
The new price comparison website introduced by the Victorian State Government will let consumers assess smart meter-linked electricity tariffs.
Victorian Energy Minister Nicholas Kotsiras said more information protected consumers and could help them save money.
“We are developing new web-based tools that will help people understand these new (tariff) options and decide if they are for them or not,” he said.
“For those who can move some of their power usage outside peak times, there can be significant savings.
“For example, by running your dishwasher, washing machine and clothes dryer off-peak instead of at the current flat rate, you could save up to $150 a year.”
The government’s introduction of time-varying tariffs will see a ‘safe try’ period so consumers can fall back to flat pricing if they are unsatisfied, and no consumer will be forced to change power deals.
On top of the $300,000 spent, the government has invested $485,000 to produce material for businesses and households through the government’s ‘Switch On’ smart meter campaign.
The spending has triggered warnings on possible bill leaps for households already paying for the smart meter program’s bungled $2.3 billion rollout.
Source: Herald Sun.