AEMO and Network pass-through costs


Unaccounted For Energy (UFE)

Unaccounted for energy refers to electricity that is consumed but can’t be attributed to a specific home or business. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) bills electricity retailers for a share of the unaccounted for energy used in a local area, based on the ‘accounted for’ electricity used by their customers in that area, which is passed onto customers.

The UFE charges are calculated based on the load (MWh), State Spot Price ($/MWh) and an allocation by the AEMO to the local network.

This charge is calculated based on your six-month consumption (for January to June and July to December) and reflects AEMO’s UFE charges. It appears on your invoice twice a year.


AEMO ancillary charges

AEMO ancillary charges are costs from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to manage the power system safely and securely and manage demand to ensure reliability. These costs are passed through to customers and can change from time to time, depending on the amount of ancillary services required in a particular period.

These can change in January and July each year.


AEMO pool fees

These are charges associated with participation in the National Electricity Market and are published on the AEMO website every financial year. These costs are passed through to customers and can change each July.


Network charges

Network charges are pass through costs associated with distributing electricity to your supply address and maintaining the infrastructure (the ‘poles and wires’). For most large business customers, network charges are separate line items, however a small minority of customers with old metering, will have network charges incorporated into a singular rate with other charges.

Changes to network charges apply to all states and can change each July.


Other regulatory charges

These charges cover certain obligations, including State Government taxes, levies and feed-in tariff schemes.


Peak Demand Reduction Scheme for NSW

The Peak Demand Reduction Scheme applies for NSW sites. The scheme aims to incentivise a reduction in energy consumption during peak periods. Under this scheme Momentum is required to purchase and surrender Peak Reduction Certificates (PRCs). If you have sites in NSW, the cost of doing this will be passed along as an annual charge.

The PDRS cost can change each year. More information about PDRS can be found here.


Loss Factor costs

As electricity flows through the transmission and distribution networks, energy is lost due to electrical resistance and the heating of conductors. The losses are equivalent to approximately 10% of the total electricity transported between power stations and market customers. The associated cost is passed on to customers via retailers. More information about Loss Factors can be found here.

AEMO determines Loss Factors each financial year, so these costs can change each July.


Environmental charges


State environmental schemes


Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Program - VIC

Large energy retailers are required to acquire and surrender Victorian energy efficiency certificates (VEECs) to meet an annual target set in Victorian legislation.

Find more information at www.esc.vic.gov.au/victorian-energy-upgrades-program.


Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) - NSW

Energy Savings Scheme targets are set for energy retailers and large energy users. These targets are met by creating or buying Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs).

Find more information about ESS at www.ess.nsw.gov.au.


The Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) - SA

The Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) is a South Australian Government energy productivity scheme that provides incentives for South Australian households and businesses to save energy. The REPS achieves its objectives through the annual setting of energy productivity targets (EPTs) to be met by electricity and gas retailers. The costs of meeting this scheme are pass-through costs.

Find more information at www.escosa.sa.gov.au.


Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme (EEIS) – ACT

The EEIS is an environmental scheme legislated by the ACT Government. Find more information at www.environment.act.gov.au.



Federal environmental schemes


Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)

We’re required to purchase renewable energy certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) for the electricity you use. An electricity retailer’s SRES liability is determined based on a percentage known as the Small-scale Technology Percentage (STP). The percentage is set around February each year, and is backdated effective 1 January.


Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET)

We’re required to purchase renewable energy certificates under the LRET scheme for the electricity you use. The LRET liability is based on the Renewable Power Percentage (RPP). The percentage is set around February each year, and is backdated effective 1 January.

For more information on SRES and LRET visit https://cer.gov.au/schemes/renewable-energy-target.