|
Information for Small Businesses
 |
Streetlights and Unmetered Supply |
To date, the standard retail supplier in the area where the streetlights are located supplies the electricity used by the streetlights and charges the local council.
From 1 January 2002, councils will be able to choose a retail supplier for their streetlights. There are up to three components to the charges that councils pay for streetlights:
- The energy used by the streetlights;
- Operating and maintenance of the streetlights and the poles and wires that service streetlights; and
- Recovery of the capital cost of the poles and wires that service streetlights.
When choosing the retail supplier to supply streetlights, the retail supplier will only supply the energy used by the streetlights. Ownership of the poles and wires and the streetlights themselves will not change. The owner will still be responsible for maintaining the streetlights themselves and the poles and wires on which they are located.
Councils may wish to combine their streetlight electricity usage and deal with one supplier.
There are no meters on streetlights because it is not practical to meter streetlight electricity usage. However, accurate estimates of electricity consumption can be made by determining the period that the streetlights are illuminated and the power rating of the type of streetlight. The NSW Metrology Procedure sets out the methodology for estimating streetlight consumption. The estimate will be used by the retail supplier when billing the council.
There are other examples of unmetered electricity supply. These include traffic lights, irrigation pumps, and telephone boxes and cable TV network.
Before you can choose a retail supplier for unmetered supply you need a table that lists the quantity and type of equipment being used and a table that estimates the consumption for the type of equipment.
These tables will need to be agreed between you and the network service provider before they can be used in a contract with the retail supplier.
The other alternatives for being able to choose a retail supplier for unmetered supply are to meter the supply; or wire the equipment into a metered supply.
The standard retail supplier will continue to be the supplier for types of unmetered supply for which the customer does not have a choice of supplier.
|
Related Topics
|
Download Booklet: "Until now, you've had no choice where you bought your electricity and gas" |
| |
 |
Need further information? Call the info line 1300 136 888 or email us at maiorana@energy.nsw.gov.au
Top of Page
|
