There has been a 375 per cent increase in the number of complaints made to Western Australia’s energy ombudsman since 2008, a budget estimates hearing has been told.
WA Ombudsman Chris Field told the committee that the increase was partly due to rising power prices and problems with the billing system of utility provider Synergy.
Meanwhile, Western Power has welcomed a report that says the reliability of its network has improved over the past financial year.
The Economic Regulation Authority found the number of Western Power customers who experienced extended interruptions fell by 51.6 per cent compared to the previous year.
However, it said that was not unexpected considering the huge storm that hit Perth in March 2010.
The report also found that complaints received by Western Power fell by 36 per cent compared to the previous year.