Electricity retailers have clashed with Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen over his plans to force them to offer three free hours of power a day, warning the proposal adds to commercial risks and costs and could compromise the viability of smaller power providers.

But Bowen declared there would be “no catch” with extra charges, insisting the energy market regulator would ensure households would not be slugged.

“I fully expected this not to be universally welcomed, but I make no apologies for putting the best interests of Australian consumers first, second and third,” Bowen said.

What are retailers saying, is there a risk they will raise their prices?

Australian energy retailers said they welcomed initiatives designed to shift customer demand to times when cheap renewable electrici

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