Public Benefit Assessment of Full Retail Contestability in Electricity in Tasmania

The Tasmanian Government has a policy to introduce competition in retail electricity supply in the state in stages. It has reserved a final decision as to whether retail competition will be extended to households and small businesses until a public benefit test has been undertaken. The Tasmanian Energy Regulator has received a Request from the Treasurer under section 9 of the Electricity Supply Industry Act 1995 to conduct an assessment of the costs and benefits of extending competition in retail markets to all electricity customers. The Regulator requires a consultancy service to assist in scoping possible market and trading arrangements under full retail contestability (FRC), analysing the costs and benefits of FRC in Tasmania, and making recommendations relating to any required customer protection mechanisms.