The Alternative Electricity Services (AES) framework extends electricity customer protections to customers receiving electricity through:
The framework establishes registration, compliance and customer protection requirements for providers of regulated alternative electricity services.
Provider obligations
Providers of regulated services must:
- Register with the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA)
- Comply with the AES Code of Practice
- Become a member of the Energy and Water Ombudsman WA Scheme if they supply electricity to small-use customers. Membership of the Energy and Water Ombudsman WA Scheme provides access to an independent dispute resolution process.
Registration dates
- On-site power supply (OPS) providers: Registration required from 1 February 2027
- Single property network (SPN) providers: Registration required from 1 July 2027
The AES framework
The AES framework provides a mechanism to regulate new and emerging electricity service models where regulation is required. It is governed by:
Electricity Industry Act 2004
Part 3A of the Electricity Industry Act 2004 establishes the legislative framework for alternative electricity services.
Regulations
The general and prescribing regulations:
- prescribe the services covered by the AES framework;
- prescribe services excluded from the framework; and
- establish additional regulatory requirements.
AES Code of Practice
The AES Code of Practice sets out customer protection obligations for providers of prescribed services.
- Code obligations for OPS providers have been established.
- Code obligations for SPN providers are being finalised following consultation.
