Energy Users Association of Australia boss, Peter Dobney, said a lack of interconnectors between the southern and eastern electricity grids was a leading cause, leading to higher power prices.

"Energy users have paid all of the costs of managing risks created by poor market design," Dobney was reported as saying, by the Australian Financial Review newspaper

The Electricity Consumers Coalition reinforced the views of the EUA, citing a 25% price jump according to spokesman David Headbury.