Amendments to the LFC Regulations

The Electricity (Low Fixed Charge Tariff Option for Domestic Consumers) Regulations 2004 have been amended to introduce regional variation in the coverage of low fixed charge tariffs. Other amendments provide additional exemption criteria and clarify or resolve issues that have arisen since implementation of the regulations. The amendment regulations were made on 15 September 2008 and come into force on 1 April 2009.

Amendments to introduce regional variation and exempt small-standalone networks were enabled following the passing of the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Act 2008. The Act amended (amongst other things) the regulation making powers in the Electricity Act 1992 to specify which domestic consumers are low-use consumers and extend the Minister of Energy's ability to grant an exemption.

Proposed amendments to the regulations were set out in a discussion paper and draft amendment regulations. Submissions on the discussion paper closed on 25 January 2008. A summary of submissions is available.

Relevant Cabinet papers and decisions are also available.

Submissions and Summary of Submissions
A summary of submissions and submissions received on the "Proposed Amendments to the Electricity (Low Fixed Charge Tariff Option for Domestic Consumers) Regulations" discussion document.
Proposed amendments to the Electricity (Low Fixed Charge Tariff Option for Domestic Consumers) Regulations 2004
Discussion paper regarding whether the draft Regulations give effect to the policy decisions made by the Government on the Low Fixed Charge Regulations.
Draft Regulations
The draft Electricity (Low Fixed Charge Tariff Option for Domestic Consumers) Amendment Regulations.
Cabinet Documents
Cabinet documents relating to the Low Fixed Charge Regulations.
Supporting Documents
Electricity retailer's statistics on the number of domestic customers covered by the low fixed charge tariff for the year 2006.