Changed retail operations on the Bass Strait islands

New arrangements for the supply of electricity on the Bass Strait islands will take effect from next week (1 July).

Hydro Tasmania is responsible for electricity generation, distribution and retailing services on the islands, but until now has contracted out operations and maintenance to Aurora Energy.

Hydro Tasmania is about to resume direct management of these services. From next week, retail services will be provided by Momentum Energy, under contract to Hydro Tasmania. Momentum is Hydro Tasmania’s wholly owned retail business. The transfer of retail services from Aurora Energy to Momentum will take effect from 1 July 2012.

This is a business decision that follows many months of discussions with Aurora Energy, affected staff and other stakeholders. Staff currently working for Aurora Energy to provide services on the islands will be transferred to Hydro Tasmania, and will continue to undertake generation and distribution operations and maintenance, as well as meter readings.

Hydro Tasmania CEO Roy Adair said the biggest change for residents and businesses on the islands will be that their power bill will come from a new retail service provider. In everything else it will be business as usual, with a focus on improving customer service and asset reliability.

Momentum will provide the same retail services that currently exist on the Bass Strait Islands. The electricity rates used to calculate bills will continue to be determined by the Tasmanian Government, on the advice of the independent regulator. The Tasmanian Government will also continue to subsidise the provision of electricity services on the Bass Strait islands, through its Community Service Obligation with Hydro Tasmania.

Any customer enquiries can be directed to Momentum Energy on 1300 662 778. To report a fault customers should continue to call Hydro Tasmania’s emergency / fault report service provider, Aurora Energy on 13 2004.

For more information contact Samantha Meyer 03 6230 5746.

About Momentum

Momentum is Victorian-based and began retailing in 2004.

In September 2009, Hydro Tasmania, Australia's largest generator of renewable energy, took full ownership of Momentum.

Momentum has a community focus, with experience servicing communities in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.

Momentum has doubled in size and revenue each year for the past three years and continues to broaden its focus on new markets.

More information about Momentum can be found at www.momentumenergy.com.au