THE Federal Court has dismissed an appeal by SA Power Networks to charge more for electricity distribution, which would have increased bills for all South Australians.
The ruling upholds the previous determination against SA Power Networks made by the Australian Competition Tribunal, following appeals by the State Government on behalf of households and businesses.
SAPN is the monopoly operator of the South Australian electricity distribution network of poles, wires and substations.
Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the Federal Court decision was a win for South Australians against higher power bills.
“What SAPN was seeking to do was to charge hundreds of millions of dollars more for the use of poles and wires, which would have been added straight to the bill of every South Australian,” he said.
“Our $550m energy plan is adding competition to the market and putting downward pressure on power prices, and today we have had a significant win in the Federal Court against increased charges.
“We have now had determinations from the Australian Energy Regulator, the Australian Competition Tribunal and the Federal Court, which have all found the attempts by SA Power Networks to charge South Australians more are unjustified – it is time they accept those decisions and I urge them not to appeal the ruling to the High Court.”
