A new report has forecast a decrease in electricity prices in NSW, but organisations remain unconvinced and the Salvation Army struggles to keep up with the demand of locals in need of assistance.
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The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) 2014 Electricity Price Trends Report shows there will be an average annual decrease of residential electricity prices of 5.8 per cent in NSW to 2016-17.
"Residential electricity prices in NSW are expected to decrease by 9.7 per cent in 2014-15 and 11 per cent in 2015-16 before increasing by 2.2 per cent in 2016-17," the report stated.
The repeal of the carbon tax and a decrease in regulated network prices are the two main factors the report attributes to the decrease.
Despite the AEMC report, Stop the Sell Off has repeatedly warned that if the government proceeds with plans to partially privatise the 'poles and wires', electricity prices could increase.
Stop the Sell Off Campaign Director Adam Kerslake said information shows electricity bills are the highest in South Australia, where the electricity network is privatised.
"The latest report from the Federal Government's Australian Energy Regulator, based on data from 2013, found South Australia has the highest average electricity bill - at $2,335 per annum - while the average NSW consumer pays $1,960," he said.
Salvation Army Dubbo Lieutenant Mark Townsend said there is already a consistent number of families needing help to pay their power bills.
"Nearly half of the people that we see need help with their electricity bills," he said.
Lieutenant Townsend said most people seeking assistance require help in other areas as well.
"Sometimes it's the high cost of the energy bill that's pushed their budget past its limits"
Speaking about the report, Minister for Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts said the deregulation of the retail electricity market was also benefiting consumers.
"The AEMC found increased competition in the NSW electricity markets is providing opportunities for consumers to switch retailers, with savings of around eight per cent or $165 on their annual bill if consumers switched from the regulated offer to a market offer in 2013-14," he said.
Across the country, NSW recorded the greatest decrease in expected electricity prices for the time period, followed by ACT with an average annual decrease of four per cent.
Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania are also projected to decrease.
Alternatively, Western Australia is expected to have the greatest increase in residential electricity prices at an average of 3.3 per cent, while Queensland isn't far behind at a 3.2 per cent increase.