Gas & Electricity Providers Canberra (ACT)

Unlike other parts of the energy market in Australia, Canberra has stricter regulations when it comes to the sale of residential electricity and natural gas. In the capital, electricity prices are regulated and while this means households usually don’t need to worry about paying exorbitant energy bills, this also means there are fewer energy retailers, leading to fewer choices for the consumer. However, in recent months, more providers have begun to enter the market, so if you’re interested in learning more about electricity in the ACT continue to read below.

Compare cheapest energy plans in Canberra, ACT

When comparing and switching energy providers, finding the cheapest plan is often the first thing we look for. Below, you can find a selection of the cheapest electricity plans from energy providers in Canberra, within the Evoenergy distribution network on a single-rate tariff.

Gas providers Canberra

Not all electricity providers in Canberra also offer gas, so if you’re looking to bundle both electricity and gas in the ACT your choices are limited. However, it is also possible to purchase your electricity from one provider and gas from another. Below you will find the cheapest gas plans in Canberra, for the providers available in the territory.

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Energy providers in Canberra

With so few energy providers in the ACT, it might seem like there aren’t many differences between them. However, if you live in Canberra there are plenty of energy plans to choose from. Below you can find the energy providers available in the ACT, and some of the most popular plans they offer.

ActewAGL

ActewAGL is the largest energy retailer in the ACT, coming together as a joint-venture between historic energy provider AGL and the ACT government, with over 90% of the market share. There are three electricity plans available through ActewAGL:

• Simple Saver: Get the lowest usage rates when you sign up for automatic payments with EvenPay
• 15% Off: Get 15% off your usage rates with flexible payment options and a 1 year benefit period
• Solar Advantage: Get a feed-in tariff of 12c/kWh for the first 8kWh of solar exported, and 7c/kWh for anything after

Amber Electric

Amber Electric offers wholesale electricity, with real-time wholesale pricing to alert you when the cost of electricity is low or when it spikes so you can adjust your energy usage accordingly. Due to the fluctuations of wholesale electricity pricing throughout the day, below you will find the average discount customers in Canberra get when they switch to Amber Electric, as well as the average usage rates, fixed daily supply charge, and the maximum average price that would ever be passed onto the customers. This maximum average price also includes Amber Electric’s $15/month subscription fee.

Elysian Energy

Elysian Energy does things a little differently than most traditional energy providers. Instead of paying for the total energy you use in a billing period, you instead get a flat energy usage of 250kWh per month for $80 / month. If you use more than 250kWh, you’re charged an additional 14.c/kWh. This means if you consistently use under 250kWh per month, you could end up paying no more than $960 annually.

EnergyAustralia

EnergyAustralia has three energy plans available to residents of the ACT, their standard Basic Home plan, their No Frills plan with simple low rates, or the Total Plan with a guaranteed 12% discount off your total bill.

Energy Locals

Energy Locals is a membership-based energy provider, offering cheaper energy rates with a fixed monthly membership fee which Energy Locals usually waives the first four months of your contract. Choose either their Online Member electricity plan which requires direct debit and online-only customer support, or choose Local Member for phone-based customer service and flexible payment methods with no credit card fees.

Origin Energy

Origin Energy has many different electricity plans available, depending on whether you want the lowest available rates, highest solar feed-in-tariff, or just want to set and forget your plan without needing to worry about renewing it.

• Origin Go: Get low, fixed rates for 12 months
• Origin Rewards: All the benefits of Origin Go fixed rates, plus additional and ongoing Origin Everyday Rewards points
• Origin Solar Boost: Get the highest solar feed-in-tariff available through Origin Energy
• Origin Basic: Set and forget your Origin Energy plan, and get Origin’s ongoing base rate without the need to renew

Powerclub

Powerclub is another membership-based wholesale energy provider in the ACT. Their annual membership fee is $39/year and you need to ensure you have sufficient funds in your Powerbank, to cover the cost of electricity in the event of a spike in wholesale prices.

Radian Energy

As one of the newest energy providers in the ACT, Radian Energy offers one electricity plan, Grid to Go, which claims to have net-zero carbon emissions, and some of the lowest rates on the market. Their one plan comes with an unlimited benefit period, and no lock-in contract.

ReAmped Energy

ReAmped Energy offers many different, flexible, electricity plans for residents in the ACT. These plans include:

• ReAmped Classic: Simple, great rates with no lock-in contract
• ReAmped Handshake: Lower rates in exchange for a one-year commitment
• ReAmped Advance: The lowest rates possible with fortnightly billing
• ReAmped Solar: Get the best solar feed-in tariff of 11c/kWh for the first 5kWh exported daily, and 5c/kWh after

Red Energy

Red Energy plans all come with the same rates, no matter which plan you choose. The difference between them are the additional benefits you get when you sign up, whether you’re looking for a simple plan with low rates, are a Qantas member looking for bonus Qantas points, or you have an electric vehicle.

• Living Energy Saver: Simple rates with no contract term, and flexible billing and payment options
• Qantas Red Saver: Get additional Qantas Points when you sign up, and ongoing Qantas points when you pay on time
• Red EV Saver: Exclusive to electric vehicle owners who get free electricity to charge their cars 12pm to 2pm Saturdays and Sundays

Social Energy

Social Energy does things a little differently, choosing to reward solar energy customers who have battery storage and generate most of the electricity they need through their solar panels. Their four step plan includes:

1. Install solar panels to reduce your energy bills
2. Store excess solar in your battery storage system
3. Power your home with the generated and stored energy
4. Have your energy needs topped up with Social Energy’s low electricity rates

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Average electricity bill Canberra

While all households consume different amounts of energy every year, and their energy bills differ based on this usage, their provider, and plan, knowing if you’re above or below average in your energy usage habits and bills can tell you whether you need to make some changes to your energy consumption. Here you will find the average energy usage and energy bill for Canberra, based on data from different sources. 

Solar energy in the ACT

Renewable energy, as a whole, is having a moment in the ACT. In 2020, the ACT achieved its 100% renewable energy target and is continuing to ensure it stays there as its population grows. However, when it comes to solar energy, Canberra is still lagging behind. While nationally, 1 in 4 households are benefiting from solar PV systems, only 20.7% of homes in Canberra have invested in solar panels.

Cost of solar panels in Canberra

If you’re interested in investing in solar energy for your home in Canberra, you’re in luck. The average cost of solar panels in the state is lower than the national average, according to SolarChoice June 2021 solar price report, which takes into account solar rebates available through the Renewable Energy Target small-scale certificates, and includes GST.

Solar feed-in-tariff Canberra

If you’re interested in investing in solar panels, or you already have solar panels, you’ll need to consider the solar feed-in tariff of your energy plan in order to get the most out of your investment. A solar feed-in tariff is the rate your energy provider pays you for the solar energy you generate which is sent back to the grid.

Below you will find some of the solar feed-in tariffs available to households with solar power in Canberra. It’s always best to consider all parts of your energy plan when comparing and switching, as a higher solar feed-in tariff often means more expensive energy rates or other eligibility requirements you will need to meet in order to access them.

ACT energy distributors & power outage information

If you’re experiencing a power outage in Canberra, or another energy supply issue, you’ll want to contact your energy distributor to let them know. While you purchase your electricity and gas from your energy provider, it’s the electricity and gas distributors who manage the actual infrastructure of the energy grid including any power outages, fallen lines, or the smell of gas.

In the ACT, most electricity and gas is supplied by Evoenergy, managed by ActewAGL, though some customers might find their energy is supplied by Essential Energy or another company in remote areas. If you have any doubts, you can find your energy distributor on your latest energy bill.