Energy hardship research reports

The following reports were jointly commissioned by the Energy Hardship Expert Panel and MBIE to support their respective work on reducing energy hardship.

Quantitative analysis and compendium of past statistics on energy hardship

This report sets out quantitative analysis on the nature and scale of drivers of energy hardship. It also includes a compendium of insights from past studies that relate to various aspects of energy hardship.

The report presents Concept Consulting’s analysis and findings, and does not represent the views of the Energy Hardship Expert Panel or MBIE.

Overview of international research and programmes on energy hardship for MBIE

This report presents the results of desktop research undertaken by Dr Sea Rotmann of SEA (Sustainable Energy Advice) on relevant energy hardship programmes, interventions and policies that are adopted in international jurisdictions, particularly, Australia, the United Kingdom, North America and the European Union.

The research focuses on programmes, policies and interventions that matched the Energy Hardship Expert Panel’s initial 5 kete of energy hardship.

Social retailing reports

The Energy Hardship Expert Panel explored social retailing, which it defines as energy retailing that provides additional support to consumers who are in energy hardship. Social retailing can be provided through traditional retailers or through a specialised social retailer that has objectives similar to a not-for-profit organisation. Social retailing can be combined with community energy or social generation to provide an integrated social generator-retailer.

This report was prepared in 2 phases. The first developed a framework that sets out the issues social retailing would seek to address and a long-list of potential social retailing options. The second phase developed and evaluated social retailing options that require further analysis. The report presents Concept Consulting’s analysis and findings, and does not represent the views of the Energy Hardship Expert Panel or MBIE.

Advice on electricity market competition issues and bulk electricity deals to better enable affordability

The report provided advice to the Panel on issues relating to wholesale and retail electricity market competition to better enable affordability for those in energy hardship. It also provided advice on opportunities and challenges of bulk electricity deals for public housing clients, or other similar groups of consumers, including in what circumstances such deals would likely be beneficial.

The report presents advice by Ben Hamlin to assist the Energy Hardship Expert Panel in preparing its final report to Government. The report does not represent the views of the Panel or MBIE.

Last updated: 08 December 2023