Electricity Companies & Providers in Queensland

Overview of Electricity in Queensland

Electricity in Queensland is generated primarily by coal-fired power stations, followed by gas and renewable energy. It is transmitted across a 13,000 kilometer network and distributed through a 200,000 kilometer network to homes and businesses. While electricity generation is created through government and privately-owned companies, network infrastructure is entirely government-owned.

Electricity Distributors in Queensland

Distributors own and manage the infrastructure that allows for delivery of your energy, such as pipes and power lines. Two government-owned distributors provide electricity to the majority of Queenslanders.

Customers residing near the NSW border may receive their energy from Essential Energy, a NSW-owned distributor.

Electricity Retailers in Queensland

Electricity suppliers purchase electricity wholesale and sell it to customers. Prices in regional Queensland are regulated by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) while retailers offer market contracts in the rest of the country.

Market competition is generally positive for Queensland customers – it offers a larger selection of companies to choose from, and savings from shopping around between varying prices.

Electricity retailers in Queensland include:

• 1st Energy
• AGL
• Alinta Energy
• Click Energy
• Diamond Energy
• Dodo Power & Gas
• Energy Australia
• Powershop Australia Pty Ltd
• EnergyLocals
• Ergon Energy
• ERM Power Retail
• Locality Planning
• Energy
• Lumo Energy
• Mojo Power Pty Ltd
• Qenergy
• Red Energy
• Momentum Energy
• Next Business Energy
• Origin Energy
• People Energy Pty Ltd
• Powerdirect
• Sanctuary Energy
• Simply Energy

Electricity Prices in Queensland

The energy market in South East Queensland was deregulated as of 1 July 2016. As a result, energy suppliers are now free to set their own prices.

The QCA regulates retail tariffs in regional Queensland.

Concessions and Rebates

In 2018, the Queensland government launched its Affordable Energy Plan – a $300 million initiative to make electricity cheaper for customers. The plan was designed to keep the average electricity bill below inflation level over the next two years.

Here are some of the initiatives, rebates, and concessions available in Queensland:

Electricity Asset Ownership Dividend

The state government is distributing $200 million in dividends as a $50 per year electricity rebate to residential customers over the next two years. No application is required as the rebate is automatically applied to eligible household electricity bills. The first rebate was issued from 30 April 2018.

General Electricity Rebates and Concessions

• Electricity Rebate: $340.85 (GST included) for eligible low-income earners to reduce the cost of the electricity bill.
• Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession Scheme: $340.85 (GST included) for customers with a qualifying medical condition who need heating or cooling.
• The Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme: Up to $720 in a 12 month period for low-income households who are dealing with a temporary financial emergency.
• Electricity Life Support: Concession for those who depend on electricity-powered life support machines.
• Electricity rebate for residential home parks and multi-unit residential premises: Eligible residents may receive a daily rebate of $0.8489 (exclusive of GST) and $0.9338 (inclusive of GST).

Solar incentives

Over three years, $21 million will be reserved for interest-free loans and rebates for Queensland customers who buy rooftop solar and battery systems. An additional $4 million trial will be rolled out to encourage landlords to install solar so their tenants can benefit as well.

Regional Queensland Rebates

Customers in regional Queensland face unique challenges in accessing electricity. Three government schemes have been put in place to help these customers save on their power bill:

• EasyPay Rewards: $75 rebate for regional households that register for direct debit and eBilling
• Energy Savvy Families: Free digital meters for eligible low-income families
• Removal of non-reversion policy: Customers who left Ergon Energy can now return to Ergon and take advantage of EasyPay Rewards.

Solar Power in Queensland

According to recent research, 24.9% of Queensland households have solar panels installed, making it second only to South Australia. Queensland’s famous sunshine makes it an ideal state for solar, which in turn could reduce the power bill for those who have it.

The Queensland government-run Solar Bonus Scheme paid customers 44c for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy they fed back into the grid. This scheme is due to expire on 1 July 2028 and is no longer accepting new customers.

However, there are still two feed-in tariffs available to Queensland residents (eligibility dependant on area of residence):

South East Queensland (SEQ) market feed-in tariff

Electricity retailers in South East Queensland offer voluntary feed-in tariffs to solar customers. Different retailers can offer different rates, so shop around, but remember that feed-in tariffs should be considered alongside the cost per kWh.

Regional feed-in tariff

Residents of regional Queensland may be able to take advantage of flat rate or time-varying feed-in tariffs. Those who feed the most power back to the grid during peak times may benefit from the time-varying tariff, while others may benefit more from a flat rate.

• Flat rate: the default rate set by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) and offered to Ergon Energy and Origin Energy customers. The 2017-18 flat rate feed-in tariff is 10.2 cents per kWh.
• Time-varying: available to Ergon Energy customers only. Peak rate (between 3pm and 7pm) pays 13.606 cents per kWh; controlled load (all other times) pays 7.358 cents per kWh.

Tips for Comparing Electricity in Queensland

• Shop around to find cheaper electricity in QLD, especially in the recently deregulated area of South East Queensland.
• Ask your current supplier if they’re willing to offer you a better deal; if not, switch suppliers.
• Solar customers should consider their options for feed-in tariffs, but remember to weigh up the cost per kWh of electricity as well.
• Take advantage of electricity rebates and concessions you may be eligible for.