The Alternative Electricity Services (AES) regulatory framework extends electricity-specific customer protections to new and emerging electricity services. The State Government has specified that the first two services to be regulated under the AES framework are single property networks (SPN) and onsite power supply arrangements (OPSA).
From 1 January 2027, providers of SPN and OPSA services need to register with the Economic Regulation Authority and join the Energy and Water Ombudsman Western Australia, and comply with a code of practice, the AES Code.
This means customers of registered AES providers will receive customer protections similar to those provided to customers of licensed electricity providers, such as Synergy and Horizon Power, and will be able to access the Energy and Water Ombudsman to help with disputes.
The AES framework is governed by: