Customers in Country Energy’s network area, which covers regional and rural areas of NSW, will see increases in their electricity bills of between $305 and $321 per year.

The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) approved the rise in prices for regulated customers, and those of other energy service providers, starting yesterday.

The increase recognises the higher retail, transmission and network costs associated with supplying electricity, plus a consumer price increase (CPI) of 4.4 per cent.

According to Switchwise.com.au, a free online price comparison service, regional NSW households will now pay the highest prices in Australia for their electricity. They will pay up to 28.8 per cent more for their electricity each year compared with households in other parts of NSW.

Country Energy said the increase will help fund more than $700 million in network upgrades across in the 2009/ 2010 financial year alone, and is part of a five- year investment of almost $4 billion in local essential services.

Regional general manager, Matt Patterson, said the company would invest over $55 million on maintenance and upgrades in the New England North West in this financial year.

“This includes significant network upgrades in the Walcha area to improve power supply reliability, and meet growing demands well into the future.”

He said they were committed to providing local service in Walcha, with nine employees, and a field service centre.

“There are currently three apprentices in training in Walcha, helping to ensure that there will be skilled staff in the future to maintain, and upgrade, the electricity network in the Walcha community,” Mr Patterson said.

“Country Energy is also mindful of the impact of the price change on customers, and has an hardship program known as Country Support, which has helped more than 10,000 customers to date keep the lights on.”

Any residential customer, small business or farmer finding it difficult to pay their electricity account should call Country Energy on 13 23 56 and ask about Country Support.

The NSW Government has introduced a $272 million consumer protection package to help families and pensioners manage the impact of the July 1 energy provider price rise on household budgets, including:

* the NSW Government Energy Rebate, formerly the Pension Rebate, has increased from $112 to $130 per year; and

* an extension of the NSW Government Energy Rebate to a selected group of health care card holders and carers.