The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has initiated the Retailer of Last Resort process that will allow for the transfer of customers from electricity retailer ZEN Energy Retail Pty Ltd (ZEN Energy) to ensure the continued supply of essential energy services to these customers.
The AER applied the market safeguard after administrators were appointed to ZEN Energy.
ZEN Energy’s authorisation to retail electricity will be halted at 24:00 hours Australian Eastern Standard Time, Monday 6 July 2026 (that is, midnight Monday evening). ZEN Energy is an electricity retailer who currently supplies large customers in South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.
Customers are not required to take any immediate action.
Under the Retailer of Last Resort process, customers will be transferred to another retailer, who will contact them directly to explain the new arrangements.
Customers are under no obligation to remain with their new retailer once they are transferred.
Our frequently asked questions fact sheet explains more about the Retailer of Last Resort scheme for ZEN Energy customers.
Background
The AER is responsible for overseeing the Retailer of Last Resort (RoLR) scheme in jurisdictions in the National Energy Customer Framework and Victoria.
The RoLR scheme is designed to ensure that in the event of retailer failure, arrangements are in place to ensure that customers continue to receive electricity and/or gas supply. If an energy retailer fails, their customers transfer to a new retailer.