#Electricity giants accused of blocking green #power

The consumer watchdog will examine claims by the Greens that three major power companies — AGL, Origin and TRUenergy — are using their market clout to frustrate the roll-out of competing wind and solar projects, SMH reported.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has written to Greens deputy leader Christine Milne to confirm it will consider her claims that the three electricity retailers may be refusing to enter into power purchase agreements to sell electricity generated by  renewable energy competitors.

The claims came as the Business Council of Australia said the nation’s long-term energy strategy had become too heavily dictated by climate change policy and relied too much on an assumption that the rest of the world would take firm action on climate change.

The council, which is the peak body for CEOs of leading companies, said in its submission to the government’s draft energy white paper that there was now ‘‘an opportunity for a rebalance’’.
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The Smart Electricity World conference will be happening on the 2-4 July 2012. It will discuss innovation, strategy & investment for power utilities, energy, government & partners. Download the conference agenda here.