The Tasmanian Government has a policy to introduce competition in retail
electricity supply in the state in stages. It has reserved a final decision as
to whether retail competition will be extended to households and small
businesses until a public benefit test has been undertaken.
The Tasmanian Energy Regulator has received a Request from the Treasurer under
section 9 of the Electricity Supply Industry Act 1995 to conduct an assessment
of the costs and benefits of extending competition in retail markets to all
electricity customers. The Regulator requires a consultancy service to assist
in scoping possible market and trading arrangements under full retail
contestability (FRC), analysing the costs and benefits of FRC in Tasmania, and
making recommendations relating to any required customer protection mechanisms.