Failing to Help Vulnerable Customers Costs Alinta Energy $1.125 Million

One of the country’s biggest energy retailers has been slapped with penalties totalling $1.125 million for allegedly placing conditions on providing assistance to vulnerable customers in Victoria.

The state’s energy regulator, the Essential Services Commission (ESC), issued Alinta Energy with 75 penalty notices for causing distress to some customers suffering hardship by making them ‘provide financial information before agreeing to set up payment plans’.

ESC Chairperson Kate Symons said the investigation uncovered a number of incidents where Alinta Energy customers were unnecessarily placed under further pressure due to a range of personal circumstances.

“This included vulnerable…