Inquiry Into the Funding Arrangements of Horizon Power
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Economic Regulation Authority Inquiry into the Funding Arrangements of Horizon Power Issues Paper 3 June 2010 A full copy of this document is available from the Economic Regulation Authority website at www.erawa.com.au. For further information, contact Economic Regulation Authority Perth, Western Australia Phone: (08) 9213 1900 The copying of this document in whole or in part for non-commercial purposes is permitted provided that appropriate acknowledgement is made of the Economic Regulation Authority and the State of Western Australia. Any other copying of this document is not permitted without the express written consent of the Authority. Disclaimer This document has been compiled in good faith by the Economic Regulation Authority (the Authority). This document is not a substitute for legal or technical advice. No person or organisation should act on the basis of any matter contained in this document without obtaining appropriate professional advice. The Authority and its staff members make no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or reliability of the information contained in this document, and accept no liability, jointly or severally, for any loss or expense of any nature whatsoever (including consequential loss) (“Loss”) arising directly or indirectly from any making available of this document, or the inclusion in it or omission from it of any material, or anything done or not done in reliance on it, including in all cases, without limitation, Loss due in whole or part to the negligence of the Authority and its employees. This notice has effect subject to the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) and the Fair Trading Act 1987 (WA), if applicable, and to the fullest extent permitted by law. The summaries of the legislation, regulations or licence provisions in this document do not contain all material terms of those laws or obligations. No attempt has been made in the summaries, definitions or other material to exhaustively identify and describe the rights, obligations and liabilities of any person under those laws or licence provisions. Economic Regulation Authority Foreword The Treasurer of the State of Western Australia has requested that the Economic Regulation Authority (Authority) undertake an inquiry into the funding requirements and operating and capital expenditure programmes of Horizon Power. In accordance with the inquiry‟s Terms of Reference, the Authority will determine the level of tariffs that reflect Horizon Power‟s efficient costs in supplying electricity to its customers. The Authority must also consider and develop findings on the efficiency of Horizon Power‟s expenditure programmes and procurement processes, as well as suggest incentives to encourage Horizon Power to operate more efficiently. In developing its findings the Authority must examine the costs associated with each stage of the supply process, the levels of service delivered to customers and any additional costs that may be incurred as a result of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. The purpose of this issues paper is to provide background information and outline the issues to be considered. It is intended to assist stakeholders to understand the nature of the issues under review and to facilitate public comment and debate. Throughout this issues paper questions that may be of particular interest to stakeholders are raised and highlighted in boxes. Submissions on any matters, including those raised in this issues paper, should be submitted by 16 July 2010 to: [email protected] or addressed to: Inquiry into the Funding Arrangements of Horizon Power Economic Regulation Authority PO Box 8469 Perth Business Centre PERTH WA 6849 Fax: (08) 9213 1999 Section 1.4 of this issues paper provides further information regarding the process for making a submission. Interested parties and stakeholders will have further opportunity to make submissions following the release of the Authority‟s draft report. The final report for the inquiry is scheduled to be delivered to Government by 18 March 2011, following which the Government will have 28 days to table the report in Parliament. I encourage interested parties to consider the Terms of Reference and matters raised in the issues paper and prepare a submission to the inquiry. LYNDON ROWE CHAIRMAN Inquiry into the Funding Arrangements of Horizon Power: Issues Paper i Economic Regulation Authority Contents Contents ii List of Tables iv List of Figures v Introduction vi 1.1 Terms of Reference vi 1.2 Background to the Inquiry vii 1.3 Review Process viii 1.4 How to Make a Submission ix 2 Background on Horizon Power and the Existing Funding Arrangement 1 2.1 Structure of the Electricity Industry in Western Australia 1 2.1.1 Verve Energy 1 2.1.2 Western Power 2 2.1.3 Synergy 2 2.1.4 Horizon Power 3 2.2 Horizon Power‟s Operations 3 2.2.1 Operating Area 3 2.2.2 Generation 5 2.2.3 Networks 6 2.2.4 Retail 8 2.3 Existing Funding Arrangements for Horizon Power 10 2.3.1 Uniform Tariffs 11 2.3.2 Tariff Equalisation Fund 11 2.3.3 CSOs 12 2.3.4 Commercial Customers 13 3 Regulatory Approach for the Inquiry 16 3.1 Standards of Service 16 3.1.1 Horizon Power Specific Issues 16 3.2 Determining the Revenue Requirement 16 3.2.1 Horizon Power Specific Issues 17 3.3 Cost Reflective Tariff Design 18 3.3.1 Horizon Power Specific Issues 20 4 Horizon Power’s Service Standards 21 4.1 Current Service Standards 21 4.2 Other Electricity Suppliers‟ Service Standards 24 4.2.1 Western Australia 24 4.2.2 Eastern States 25 4.3 Review of Regional Power Corporation‟s Code Standards 26 5 Horizon Power’s Costs 28 5.1 Financial Planning 28 ii Inquiry into the Funding Arrangements of Horizon Power: Issues Paper Economic Regulation Authority 5.2 Operating and Capital Expenditure Programmes 29 6 Horizon Power’s tariffs 33 6.1 Current tariffs 33 6.2 Allocation of Costs 35 6.2.1 Analysis of the Elements of Unit Cost to Serve 35 6.2.2 Unit Cost to Serve at the District Level 36 7 Summary of Issues for this Inquiry 40 Appendices 41 Appendix A: Terms of Reference 42 Appendix B: Rebates and Subsidies Available for Horizon Power’s Residential Customers 44 Appendix C: Districts Included in Each Region in Section 5 45 Appendix D: Glossary and Abbreviations 46 Inquiry into the Funding Arrangements of Horizon Power: Issues Paper iii Economic Regulation Authority List of Tables Table 2.1 Horizon Power‟s Electricity Generation and Purchases 2008/09 5 Table 2.2 Main Renewable Energy Generators in Regional Western Australia 6 Table 2.3 Horizon Power‟s Current Network Assets as at June 2009 7 Table 2.4 Percentage Increases in Uniform Tariffs in 2009 and 2010 9 Table 2.5 Gazetted Tariff Equalisation Contribution Amounts from 2009/10 to 2011/12 12 Table 2.6 Community Service Obligation Payments for Horizon Power ($,000s) 13 Table 2.7 Analysis of Horizon Power‟s Customer Base 14 Table 4.1 Selected Network Performance Standards for Horizon Power and Western Power 2008/09 23 Table 4.2 Selected Retail Performance Standards for Horizon Power and Synergy 2008/09 - Complaints 24 Table 4.3 Selected Retail Performance Standards for Horizon Power and Synergy 2008/09 – Disconnections for Failure to Pay a Bill 24 Table 5.1 Horizon Power‟s Forecast Operating and Capital Expenditure 29 Table 5.2 Main Drivers of Horizon Power‟s Capital Programme for 2009/10 30 Table 6.1 Horizon Power‟s Regulated Tariff Classes 33 Table 6.2 Analysis of the Elements of Horizon Power‟s Cost to Supply 2008/09 by region in $ per kWh 35 Table 6.3 Percentage Contribution of Individual Elements of Unit Cost to Supply at the Regional Level 36 Table 6.4 Horizon Power‟s Indicative Unit Cost to Serve Districts for 2008/2009 38 Table B.1 Rebates and Subsidies Available for Horizon Power‟s Residential Customers 44 Table C.1 Districts by Region for Horizon Power‟s Supply Area 45 iv Inquiry into the Funding Arrangements of Horizon Power: Issues Paper Economic Regulation Authority List of Figures Figure 2.1 Supply areas for Synergy (SWIS) and Horizon Power 4 Figure 2.2 Sources of Funding for Horizon Power in 2008/09 in ($‟000s) 11 Inquiry into the Funding Arrangements of Horizon Power: Issues Paper v Economic Regulation Authority Introduction The Treasurer of Western Australia gave written notice to the Authority, on 17 May 2010, to undertake an inquiry into the funding arrangements of Horizon Power in accordance with section 129E(1) of the Electricity Industry Act 2004. This section of the Electricity Industry Act provides for the Treasurer to seek advice from the Authority prior to making a determination on the level of the Tariff Equalisation Contribution (TEC) payable to Horizon Power. The inquiry has been referred to the Authority under Section 32(1) of the Economic Regulation Authority Act 2003 (Act). This provides for the Treasurer to refer to the Authority inquiries on matters relating to regulated industries.1 1.1 Terms of Reference The Terms of Reference for the inquiry are presented in Appendix A. The Terms of Reference require the Authority to consider and develop findings on: The cost reflective retail tariffs that would apply in the areas of operation of Horizon Power, for the purpose of determining the efficient expenditure required to supply customers on regulated retail tariffs located in these areas. This will inform the setting of the amount of the Tariff Equalisation Contribution, which will be determined by Government. The cost reflective retail tariffs should be determined for the period 2009/10 to 2013/14.