The competition watchdog has played down the value of a clean energy target, arguing the best solution for power prices lies in consumers saying no to bad deals from retailers.

A new report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) shows power prices have risen in real terms by 63 per cent over the past decade.

About 40 per cent of the rise has been due to the higher costs of poles and wires, with a quarter due to retail costs and margins, 20 per cent higher generation costs and one-sixth due to green costs.

Federal cabinet was on Monday expected to consider a national energy policy, which would be presented to the Coalition party room on Tuesday.

However, ACCC chairman Rod Sims says the key to better prices is people-power.

"If there's one thing people can do most immediately, it's call their electricity retailer as soon as possible, say to them, 'I want a better deal. If I don't get a better deal, I'm going to move my retailer'," he told reporters in Sydney.

Mr Sims suggested lowering gas prices, helping businesses self-supply gas, and greater use of demand management such as turning down air-conditioners at peak times would also help.

The clean energy target would address only one of three elements of the power problem - carbon emissions - and not affordability and reliability, he said.

Parkes MP Mark Coulton said electricity costs were having an effect right across his electorate from people on low-incomes to people operating small country pubs and stores, to irrigators and manufacturers.

“The ones that actually concern me as much as anyone is the fixed income people, the pensioners,” he said.

“… and my concern is if the electricity gets too dear they’ll swelter in summer and freeze in winter.”

He said the government had already taken some measures, but he acknowledged there was more to do.

“It will take a little while but we are looking at, and hopefully it will become clearer over the next short while, at policy settings that will make it clearer for companies to invest in base load generation, whether that’s gas or coal,” he said.

“...my electorate has embraced renewable energy, but one of the issues is that we need to have that base load energy that can back up the renewables when they’re not working.”