Following concerns expressed in Young last week about energy customers receiving accounts that had been estimated Essential Energy has revealed 95% of its customers have their energy meter read.
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Essential Energy services about 800,000 customers located across 95 per cent of NSW, and is responsible for more than 500,000 meter reads a month in regional and rural areas.
Essential Energy's regional manager southern, Steven Ilitch, said Essential Energy only reads electricity meters, with more than 95 per cent of electricity meter reads performed by an appointed meter reader on a rotational, quarterly basis.
"Less than five per cent of Essential Energy's customers receive estimated meter reads - well within regulatory requirements," Mr Ilitch said.
He said in September 2014, Essential Energy tested market interest in the potential for outsourcing of meter reading and associated services to improve operational efficiencies and contain average increases in network charges to CPI or below.
"As a result, Skilltech Utility Services Group was contracted to provide electricity meter reading and associated services from September 2015," Mr Ilitch said.
"This move is estimated to deliver $15 million in savings for customers each year.
"While there were some initial transitional issues in the change to the new provider, Essential Energy is confident that the service is suitably resourced to adequately perform the meter reading role.
"As part of standard customer connection conditions and under provisions of the NSW Electricity Supply Act 1995, all customers connected to Essential Energy's electricity distribution network are required to provide safe and unhindered access for authorised officers to undertake work to meet the organisation's statutory obligations, including reading meters."
Mr Ilitch said estimated meter reads were generally performed when officers couldn't safely access electricity meters.
"These reads are, on average, within about 12 per cent of the customer's actual usage," he said.
Essential Energy asked that customers:
* Ensure safe and easy access to meter boxes by not locking gates or fencing around the box, trimming back nearby bushes, moving rubbish and clearing spider webs and insect nests.
* Keep dogs safely secured during the day or place them in a different area to where the meter box is located.
* Phone 13 23 91 to tell them if you have a dog that is unrestrained during the day or have a new puppy. We will work with you so meters can be read safely.
* Do not use private padlocks on meter boxes. An Essential Energy approved lock can be ordered from www.meterkeys.com.au. This will ensure meter readers and emergency crews can still access the meter, especially in case of fire or electric shock.
"By ensuring meter readers can access and read electricity meters safely, and informing their retailer of any special access information, customers can avoid having their electricity usage estimated," Mr Ilitch said.
"Alternatively, customers can ask their electricity retailer about upgrading to a remotely read meter which does not require physical access to their meter."
