Daniel Mercer

The head of one of Australia's biggest energy companies has thrown doubt on federal opposition plans to replace coal plants with nuclear power, likening them to "looking for unicorns in the garden".

For a decade, he regulated the energy industry in one of Australia's biggest states. Now Ron Ben-David is alarmed by the rise of complex, and often punishing, power tariffs.

There are concerns that complex power pricing schemes, designed to make the electricity grid more efficient are hurting many consumers.

Over the coming years, the Federal Government will attempt a monumental rebuild of Australia's electricity system in a bid to reach its 82 per cent renewable energy target by 2030.

For decades a backer of so-called cost reflective power pricing, the Australian Energy Regulator has acknowledged major problems with the roll-out of complex tariffs.

Amid plans by some automakers to hit the brakes on EV expansion plans, the International Energy Agency says demand is set to surge in 2024.

While many Australians are replacing gas appliances with electric ones, complex power pricing schemes are sending some customers the other way.