37Matters to be considered

37 Matters to be considered

In making a declared electrical service price determination in relation to a declared electrical service, the Regulator is to consider the following matters:

(a) the cost of providing the declared electrical service;

(b) any interstate or international benchmarks for prices, costs, revenues and return on assets in bodies providing a service similar to the declared electrical service;

(c) the principle that consumers of the declared electrical service should be protected from the adverse effects of the exercise of substantial market power by an electricity entity or authorised retailer in relation to prices, pricing policies and standards of service in respect of the provision of the declared electrical service;

(d) the degree of competition in the electricity supply industry that is relevant to the provision of the declared electrical service;

(e) the principle that there is a need for a reasonable return (including the payment of dividends) on the assets of an electricity entity or authorised retailer;

(f) the principle that there is a need for efficiency in the provision of the declared electrical service for the purpose of benefiting the public interest through a reduction in the cost of providing the declared electrical service;

(g) the effects of inflation;

(h) the principle that there is a need for the electricity entity or authorised retailer to be financially viable;

(i) the impact on pricing policies of any borrowing, capital, dividend and taxation or tax-equivalent obligations of the electricity entity or authorised retailer, including obligations to renew or increase assets;

(j) the quality of the provision of the declared electrical service;

(k) any ministerial charter, licence or obligation under the Act, any retailer authorisation, any regulations made under the Act, the National Energy Retail Law (Tasmania), the National Energy Retail Regulations (Tasmania), the National Energy Retail Law (Tasmania) Act 2012 and any regulations made under that Act, that apply, or are likely to apply, to the electricity entity or authorised retailer;