The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has transferred customers from failed electricity retailer Urth Energy to other businesses to ensure their electricity supply continues without interruption.
Urth Energy was suspended from the National Electricity Market (NEM) by the Australian Energy Market Operator, following its entry into administration.
The AER revoked Urth Energy’s authorisation to trade in the NEM on February 2.
“Approximately 800 electricity customers in South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales are affected by Urth Energy’s failure,” AER acting chair Cristina Cifuentes said.
“The power supply to these customers will not be interrupted as a result of Urth Energy’s failure.
“The AER has ensured customers of Urth Energy were transferred to new retailers. Depending on where the customers are located they were transferred to either AGL, Origin Energy, or EnergyAustralia.”
The AER is responsible for overseeing the national Retailer of Last Resort scheme.
The scheme is designed to ensure that in the event of retailer failure, arrangements are in place to ensure that customers continue to receive electricity and/or gas supply.
If an energy retailer fails, the AER has the power to transfer customers to a new retailer.
The new retailers will be writing to affected customers shortly to explain the arrangement and to ensure that customers are aware of their options for ongoing supply.
There is no obligation for these customers to remain with the new retailer.
