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🇦🇺 Australia /Economy & Trade

'How am I going to pay this?': NT customers hit by $6,000 power bills after year-long delays

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Thousands of Northern Territory residents are facing unexpectedly large power bills due to a billing system bungle by energy retailer Jacana Energy.
  • The issue stems from delays in meter data following the implementation of a new smart meter system by Power and Water Corporation, affecting approximately 5,000 customers.
  • Customers are struggling to pay debts that have accumulated over months, with some bills reaching over $6,000, adding to financial strain from a recent 5.3% power price increase.

Gemma Turner, a nurse and single mother of six in Darwin, was shocked to receive a power bill exceeding $6,000 after nearly a year without receiving any communication from Jacana Energy. "My jaw dropped. I thought 'oh my gosh, how am I going to pay this?'" she said.

Turner is among thousands of Jacana Energy customers in the Northern Territory grappling with massive catch-up bills. The energy retailer admitted that about 5,000 customers were affected by billing delays. Jacana Energy stated the problem originated with the Power and Water Corporation (PWC), which manages meter reading data. PWC's rollout of a new smart meter system reportedly disrupted the flow of meter data, leading to the billing delays.

My jaw dropped. I thought 'oh my gosh, how am I going to pay this'?

— Gemma TurnerDescribing her reaction to receiving a power bill for over $6,000 after nearly a year of no communication.

Customers have reported not only large backdated bills but also significant discrepancies in power usage shown between billing cycles. This situation is compounded by a recent 5.3% increase in power prices implemented by the NT government at the start of the month. The Integrity and Ethics Commissioner's office has acknowledged the issue and received multiple complaints, indicating a growing concern over the billing bungle.

The introduction of this system affected the flow of meter data and resulted in billing delays for approximately 5,000 Jacana Energy customers.

— Jacana Energy spokespersonExplaining the cause of the billing issues.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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