{"id":3026,"date":"2026-04-22T14:55:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T14:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/?p=3026"},"modified":"2026-04-22T14:55:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T14:55:10","slug":"battery-owners-face-thousands-of-dollars-in-losses-under-new-scheme-20260422-p5zq3p-htmlrefrssutm_mediumrssutm_sourcerss_feed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/?p=3026","title":{"rendered":"Proposal could leave solar and battery owners thousands of dollars worse off"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<header class=\"sc-ad76bc40-0 fNDZoQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 hjlPcO\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 hPBdKJ\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mike Foley\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"64\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/7f47b503728da7e265c0917951384bea10b25583\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/7f47b503728da7e265c0917951384bea10b25583, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_128%2Ch_128%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/7f47b503728da7e265c0917951384bea10b25583 2x\" width=\"64\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 libeSR\"\/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 hxoHkT\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\"><time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-04-23T00:01:00+10:00\">April 23, 2026<!-- --> \u2014 12:01am<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 efdRpd noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 iddmiW\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 kskMyR sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/goodfood\/saved\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-12 sc-d1b14060-2 jyLmZI iQLtAb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 jfkHmu sc-369d9219-0 eXOXvX\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-1 bOiPYX\">Save this article for later<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-2 bufJxo\">Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-0 sc-3f16ee48-6 sc-369d9219-3 bQUHHf bbwrGd jdMUKO\">Got it<\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 yiNod\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqtnv\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqrHP\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-6f94ac39-6 esmrVF\"\/>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>Australia\u2019s ambitious household battery rollout is being threatened by a proposal to raise the cost of connecting to the electricity network, say energy experts who warn recommendations of the energy regulator could leave household solar and battery owners several thousand dollars worse off.<\/p>\n<p>The Australian Energy Market Commission is pressing ahead with a proposal to change the way electricity companies recoup costs of maintaining the poles and wires network, which comprise about 50 per cent of average household power bills.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/61ed77b4c95e7b3bf0ec692faae1c9a39bb4276e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/61ed77b4c95e7b3bf0ec692faae1c9a39bb4276e 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/61ed77b4c95e7b3bf0ec692faae1c9a39bb4276e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/61ed77b4c95e7b3bf0ec692faae1c9a39bb4276e 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Australian Energy Market Commission has recommended changes to the way electricity customers pay for poles and wires upkeep. \" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/61ed77b4c95e7b3bf0ec692faae1c9a39bb4276e\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/61ed77b4c95e7b3bf0ec692faae1c9a39bb4276e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/61ed77b4c95e7b3bf0ec692faae1c9a39bb4276e 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"\/><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>The Australian Energy Market Commission has recommended changes to the way electricity customers pay for poles and wires upkeep. <\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Louise Kennerley<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It is scrambling to find ways to pay for the grid upkeep as the surging uptake in solar power \u2013 4.3 million solar-powered homes and 500,000 residential batteries \u2013 dramatically cuts household electricity use.<\/p>\n<p>Payments for network upkeep are expected to shrink under the current system of variable charges, which are levied on the amount of electricity used from the grid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>Electricity costs paid by households are largely made up of two parts: the cost per hour of electricity used and a network charge for maintaining the grid that provides power to homes.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/politics\/federal\/battery-surge-a-cheap-green-saviour-as-war-fuels-price-spikes-20260301-p5o6f0.html\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2017%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_188\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/5c8ddad9fe8ea9bf0da49f5144899a615d78c0ba, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2017%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_188\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/5c8ddad9fe8ea9bf0da49f5144899a615d78c0ba 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2017%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_188\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/5c8ddad9fe8ea9bf0da49f5144899a615d78c0ba, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2017%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_188\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/5c8ddad9fe8ea9bf0da49f5144899a615d78c0ba 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Hazelwood big battery, owned by French energy giant Engie, is located on the site of an old coal mine. \" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2017%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_188\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/5c8ddad9fe8ea9bf0da49f5144899a615d78c0ba\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2017%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_188\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/5c8ddad9fe8ea9bf0da49f5144899a615d78c0ba, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2017%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_188\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/5c8ddad9fe8ea9bf0da49f5144899a615d78c0ba 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The commission has recommended that the centrepiece of its changes would be a shift to a higher, fixed network charge, which would create \u201cmore equitable sharing\u201d of grid upkeep costs.<\/p>\n<p>Experts say adopting fixed charges could lower costs for wealthy, large families who are among the biggest energy users, who may benefit by as much as $1400 a year. But it could also leave low-income households $200 a year worse off, and those with solar panels and batteries $700 out of pocket.<\/p>\n<p>Energy Minister Chris Bowen has said rapid uptake of batteries is essential to creating a grid powered by clean energy. His Cheaper Home Batteries program cuts about 30 per cent off the cost of installing a battery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>He appeared sceptical of the commission\u2019s recommendations.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve been clear to the industry and regulators: Reforms must deliver cheaper bills, better reliability and the modern grid and services we all deserve,\u201d Bowen said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a contentious and complex area, requiring careful and considered reform to balance the interests of those who\u2019ve invested in solar and batteries, and those who haven\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Green Energy Markets advisory director Tristan Edis said higher, fixed network charges would increase the electricity costs for a household with rooftop solar and a 20-kilowatt-hour battery, over its 15-year lifetime, by about $6000 in Melbourne and about $8500 in Sydney.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis completely erodes the value of the government\u2019s battery rebate of $4500 and so could cripple what has been a very successful program,\u201d Edis said, adding that the popularity of Bowen\u2019s home battery program had delivered globally significant results.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>Australian household installations for March were equivalent to 9 per cent of the global battery capacity installed by power companies and almost half of what Europe delivered.<\/p>\n<p>The commission\u2019s proposal included an example that said an average battery owner would receive $3312 less in energy savings over 10 years under higher, fixed network charges, compared with the current rules.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/politics\/federal\/the-power-bill-change-that-will-sting-low-earners-200-more-20260206-p5o068.html\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.18324969717944278%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_104\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/7dd08079eafb21ac82c860064e99e926a7253ca8, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.18324969717944278%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_104\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/7dd08079eafb21ac82c860064e99e926a7253ca8 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.18324969717944278%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_104\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/7dd08079eafb21ac82c860064e99e926a7253ca8, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.18324969717944278%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_104\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/7dd08079eafb21ac82c860064e99e926a7253ca8 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Jane Fisher installed solar panels to cut her bills, but would not add a battery if her network charge increased.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.18324969717944278%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_104\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/7dd08079eafb21ac82c860064e99e926a7253ca8\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.18324969717944278%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_104\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/7dd08079eafb21ac82c860064e99e926a7253ca8, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.18324969717944278%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_104\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/7dd08079eafb21ac82c860064e99e926a7253ca8 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Commission chair Anna Collyer said the proposed change would also seek to reduce network upkeep costs by allowing electricity networks to impose \u201cdynamic\u201d network charges that incorporate grid location and peak usage time into the cost. It claimed this change could cut $6 billion in costs over five years.<\/p>\n<p>It would also implement consumer protections, which were not yet finalised, to ensure low-income households and battery investors were not worse off, Collyer said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>\u201cBy putting in place these important protections, we can ensure that these cost structures don\u2019t simply flow through to customers. That\u2019s why we\u2019re considering both at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Collyer said the commission had received significant criticism from an earlier round of consultation, including from battery owners who argued they should not be disadvantaged for participating in state and federal government schemes that encouraged them to cut their reliance on the grid.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe don\u2019t want people to feel that they were encouraged to invest their hard-earned money and then find that their investment is not of the same value that they were anticipating,\u201d Collyer said.<\/p>\n<p>The commission\u2019s recommendations included modelling that said an average two-person household with solar panels and batteries could save up to $600 a year by 2040, if the dynamic charges and consumer protections were put in place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>Without commenting on the details of the commission\u2019s recommendations, Grattan Institute senior fellow Tony Wood said it was a sound principle to ensure all those connected to the network paid a fair share of its upkeep, regardless of how much electricity they used.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you rely on your own water supply, and just use your own tanks, you still pay for the fact that there is a connection to your property whether you use it or not,\u201d Wood said.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/national\/victoria\/victoria-s-new-child-safety-regulator-runs-into-fifo-controversy-20260418-p5zp0i.html\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5555%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_62%2C$y_93\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4a01f44ef29c3d1ef56776f34682f9590ce07762759343137efc752b8f27c719, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5555%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_62%2C$y_93\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4a01f44ef29c3d1ef56776f34682f9590ce07762759343137efc752b8f27c719 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5555%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_62%2C$y_93\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4a01f44ef29c3d1ef56776f34682f9590ce07762759343137efc752b8f27c719, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5555%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_62%2C$y_93\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4a01f44ef29c3d1ef56776f34682f9590ce07762759343137efc752b8f27c719 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Adam Fennessy has been commuting between Brisbane and Melbourne since he was appointed as Victoria\u2019s interim childcare regulator.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5555%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_62%2C$y_93\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4a01f44ef29c3d1ef56776f34682f9590ce07762759343137efc752b8f27c719\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5555%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_62%2C$y_93\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4a01f44ef29c3d1ef56776f34682f9590ce07762759343137efc752b8f27c719, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5555%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_62%2C$y_93\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4a01f44ef29c3d1ef56776f34682f9590ce07762759343137efc752b8f27c719 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIf you\u2019ve got an electric car, you should pay a road-user charge because you are using the road.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe same thing applies here. If you\u2019re still using the network, you still should be paying.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 fWnQtB\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bhFzjY noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 ksUUFP\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga sc-780f6c39-3 fMMhlQ\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 yEdFV sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/goodfood\/saved\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-12 sc-d1b14060-2 jyLmZI iQLtAb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ksyHqK\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 LVIFj\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mike Foley\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/7f47b503728da7e265c0917951384bea10b25583\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/7f47b503728da7e265c0917951384bea10b25583, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/7f47b503728da7e265c0917951384bea10b25583 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 libeSR\"\/><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 cVMGnz\"><span><a class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm sc-b5b9fd03-2 jcGta-D\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/by\/mike-foley-p4yvn4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mike Foley<\/a> is the climate and energy correspondent for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 gMBkSk\">Connect via <a class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm sc-b5b9fd03-5 czsZcI\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/politics\/federal\/mailto:michaelfoley@smh.com.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">email<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 iIZygf sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 hpMljf\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 weWOF\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>April 23, 2026 \u2014 12:01am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it AAA Australia\u2019s ambitious household battery rollout is being threatened by a proposal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3027,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[78,252,471,221,231,273,272,271,174,419,127,7,447],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home","category-house","category-politics-federal","category-reviews","category-reviews-rit-ads","category-shop","category-shop-beauty","category-shopping","category-starlink","category-surface-water","category-trending-uk","category-world","category-world-middle-east"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3026","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3026"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3026\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3027"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}