The Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre (CUAC) has launched a survey that will offer the first systematic examination of the experiences of Victorian electricity consumers in “residential embedded networks”
In residential embedded networks, electricity is bought in bulk for the whole site and then on-sold to residents. In contrast, residential consumers outside of these networks buy their electricity from one of Victoria’s licensed retailers.
The regulations that apply to exempt sellers and licensed retailers are different; so too are the consumer protections extended to their customers.
Embedded networks are common in retirement villages, caravan parks, rooming houses and shopping centres. Increasingly, these networks are also becoming common in high-density residential apartment buildings.
Currently, very little is known about the customer experience in embedded networks in high-density residential apartments. The survey results will give us an understanding of the experiences of this growing group of consumers, enabling us to better advocate on their behalf.
If you live in a residential development with an embedded network within Victoria, you can help by completing the survey online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/