Electricity Providers Canberra (ACT)

Unlike the rest of the energy market in Australia, the ACT does things a little differently with stronger regulation of energy prices. In the ACT, the government sets the maximum allowed electricity prices. On the one hand, this means that residents of the state don’t need to worry about high energy prices like those living in other states, however the government regulation also means less energy providers are willing to retail in the ACT, leading to fewer options for you to choose from. This doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from shopping around and comparing providers, however. Energy providers can still offer cheaper rates than the government-set prices, and with a quick comparison you’ll be able to find the best deal for your household.

Compare cheapest energy plans in Canberra, ACT

There are only eight residential energy providers operating in Canberra and the ACT. Below, you can find a comparison of energy providers in Canberra, shown with their cheapest electricity plan, and estimated annual cost based 5,500kWh/year usage within the EvoEnergy distribution network.

ACT gas and electricity rates

Gas and electricity prices and plans vary widely in Canberra, and by breaking down the rates for the plans available to customers in the ACT you can get a better understanding of what you would be paying for with each provider.

ActewAGL Canberra

ActewAGL is the historic energy provider in Canberra, retailing gas and electricity for over 100 years. Currently, ActewAGL offers three gas and electricity plans to residents of the ACT, each offering different benefits.

• Simple Saver: Customers get the lowest possible rates from ActewAGL for gas and electricity if they set up automatic fortnightly or monthly payments using EvenPay at sign-up.
• 15% off energy usage: Customers get a 15% discount off ActewAGL’s usage rates for electricity and gas.
• Standard plan: Customers are put on ActewAGL’s standard rates plan, with flexible payment options and no ongoing benefit period.

EnergyAustralia Canberra

EnergyAustralia is one of the biggest energy providers in Australia, and retails both gas and electricity to residents of the ACT. Here you can find information about the three available gas and electricity plans in the ACT, as well as a breakdown of the rates, and estimated annual costs.

• Basic Home: Standard ongoing electricity and gas rates with no additional discounts
• No Frills: Simple, low rates for a 12 month benefit period
• Total Plan: A guaranteed discount off your total energy bill with fixed rates for 12 months

Red Energy Canberra

Red Energy offers energy and gas plans a little differently. While Red Energy offers the same usage and supply rates for all of their plans, they offer other incentives and benefits that you can choose from. Below, you’ll find the incentives Red Energy offers for each of their electricity and gas plans in Canberra.

• Living Energy Saver: Customers get an ongoing contract term, plus an additional $100 credit for choosing both gas and electricity with Red Energy. In addition, Red Energy offers a $500 Power on Promise if they don’t connect your electricity the next day when you move.
• Qantas Red Saver: Customers get 10,000 bonus Qantas Points with electricity plus an additional 2 points per $1 on their electricity bill as well as a $500 Power on Promise credit if they don’t connect your house to the grid next-day when you move.
• Red EV Saver: Exclusive to electric vehicle owners, who get free electricity to charge their cars between 12pm and 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Origin Energy Canberra

Origin Energy, one of the largest energy providers in Australia, offers both electricity and gas to ACT residents. Here, you can find their three plans for Canberra residents, along with information about their benefits, annual costs, and rates.

• Origin Flexi Usage: Quick and simple energy rates with 10% discount off Origin Energy usage rates
• Origin Home Support + Basic: Customers get the ongoing base rate for Origin Energy gas and electricity but receive a 12-month Allianz Emergency Home Assistance Membership
• Origin Max Saver: Customers who sign up online with e-billing and direct debit payments get 25% off Origin Energy’s usage rates for gas and electricity, plus an additional 11% bonus discount for choosing dual-fuel

Energy Locals Canberra

Energy Locals offers wholesale electricity rates to Canberra, ACT residents for a small monthly membership fee. Customers have access to two plans, which both offer a discount off the ActewAGL standing offer, plus an additional discount if you pay on time.

• Energy Locals Online Member: 15% discount + 3% pay on time discount for customers who choose online communication and direct debit.
• Energy Locals Local Member: 12% discount + 3% pay on time discount for customers who want phone, chat, and email communication with customer service and flexible bill payment methods.

Powerclub Canberra

For an annual membership of $39 per year, Powerclub gives Canberra, ACT customers access to wholesale energy rates. With Powerclub, customers can monitor their energy usage, and receive alerts when wholesale electricity rates are high so they can reduce their energy usage and save even more.

Energy ombudsman in the ACT If you're having a problem with your energy provider, and the problem has not been resolved by speaking with them, the The ACT Civil & Administrative Tribunal provides free and fair dispute resolution services to residents.

Solar power Canberra

As the first major city in the southern hemisphere to achieve 100% renewable energy though carbon-offset and renewable energy investment, it makes sense that those living in the ACT want to join the renewable energy bandwagon. Whether you are interested in a new solar energy system, or looking to add a battery to an existing one, keep reading below to find out more about solar energy in the ACT.

Solar feed-in-tariff Canberra

The cost of solar panels in CanberraThe average cost of a 5kW solar PV system in Canberra, ACT is $4,250 after all government rebates are applied.

As the ACT has fewer options in energy providers, compared to other states in the NEM, those with solar PV systems might also have a harder time finding a competitive solar feed-in-tariff. Below, you’ll find the highest and lowest solar FiT available for each provider in Canberra. It’s important to keep in mind that some of those solar FiT rates might involve meeting certain conditions, such as purchasing your solar PV system through that specific provider.

ACT Government solar rebate: The Next Generation Energy Storage program

The Next Generation Energy Storage program, made possible with the ACT government, helps to subsidise solar battery storage systems across the ACT in homes and businesses. If you have a solar PV system, and are interested in adding a battery storage system to your home, you could receive up to $825/kWm for up to a 30kW system with this solar rebate.

In order to be eligible for the energy storage rebate, your new battery system must:

• Have a new system that has not already been supported by the program
• Be connected to the electricity grid
• Be coupled with solar panels
• Have a new or existing inverter that meets the Next Gen requirements

In order to start the process, solar PV system users will need to first contact an approved battery storage provider, either Evergen, Solahart, or SolarHub.

Gas and electricity distributors in the ACT

If you’re experiencing an electrical or gas emergency or outage, you’re going to need to get in touch with your energy distributor. Your energy distributor is the one in charge of maintaining and repairing the gas pipes and electrical grid in your area. Here you can find both the emergency number (available 24/7) for your energy distributor, as well as the general number to call for non-emergencies.