And residents of Frankston are the most likely in the state to take up their utility issue with the ombudsman.

Energy companies reported disconnecting residential power and gas 46,122 times in the previous financial year.

Victorians raised their energy issues with the ombudsman 3411 times in 2016-17.

Energy and Water Ombudsman Cynthia Gebert said those contacting her office were in much more difficult financial positions than those of previous years.

"What we are seeing is customers in more dire situations," Ms Gebert said.

"It's not unusual to see customers coming to us with thousands of dollars in outstanding debt in both electricity and gas. Previously we weren't seeing the arrears we are now.

"It's a very distressing situation for the customer and complex and time-consuming for our office."

In some instances, the same household may have had its power or gas turned off more than once, or may have even had both disconnected at the same time if they used the same energy supplier.

The ombudsman also received 122 complaints about water restrictions in the previous financial year.

Frankston emerged as the suburb with the greatest number of complaints to the ombudsman over electricity and gas issues, topping the list with 59 cases.

It was followed by Werribee, Hoppers Crossing and Cranbourne.

Those suburbs, as well as Pakenham and Dandenong, also had the highest number of residents dealing with debt collectors chasing big utility bills. Residents in Werribee reported 69 debt collection cases, followed by 65 in Cranbourne, 52 in Pakenham and 51 in Dandenong.

It is worth noting Werribee's large population (40,345 at the last census) can skew statistics for the suburb.

Only seven residents in Toorak sought help from the ombudsman over utility issues.

Residents in Hoppers Crossing, Craigieburn, Cranbourne and Frankston topped the list for calls about large bills, while in regional Victoria, Ballarat, Wodonga, Shepparton and Morwell made the highest requests for assistance.

Essential Services Commission records show retailers cut off 28,628 electricity accounts and 17,494 gas accounts last financial year.

Ms Gebert said she was most concerned for residents in growth corridors such as Wyndham and Hume.

"I think one of the challenges that we really need to address is that we're in a low interest-rate environment. At some point in time there will be a movement in mortgage rates and that will put pressure on households already facing affordability issues," she said.

An Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry into the nation's electricity market released Monday found a lack of competition and the recent closure of coal-fired power stations had contributed to "severe" price rises since 2007.

"What's clear from our report is that price increases over the past 10 years are putting Australian businesses and consumers under unacceptable pressure," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

"Residential prices have increased by 63 per cent on top of inflation since 2007-08," he said.

For assistance resolving disputes or to read more about the Victorian Energy and Water Ombudsman, visit www.ewov.com.au.