There is not a lot of competition in the NT energy market, as prices are regulated by the state.
Several tariff types exist in the NT including a prepayment tariff depending on where you live.
All energy distribution in the NT is handled by the Power and Water Corporation.
Compare electricity plans in Darwin and the NT
The annual estimated electricity prices are based on a residential customer on the network who consumes 20000kWh yearly on a single rate tariff. Your actual bill may vary depending on your consumption.
Because of the smaller market you have very few choices between electricity providers in the Northern Territory.
The market is dominated by state-owned provider Jacana Energy and only Territorians living in major centres like Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek or Alice Springs have a choice of retailer at all.
The most common plan types are:
Single rate plan. Pay the fixed daily charge and then one standard rate for your electricity usage.
Time of use plan. Pay the fixed daily charge then one rate for your electricity usage during the day (6am to 6pm, peak) and another for your usage during the night (6pm to 6am, off-peak). The off-peak rate is cheaper.
Prepayment plan. If you have a prepaid meter you'll be on this kind of plan. Also called 'pay-as-you-use' you pay upfront for as little or as much as electricity as you want.
Multipurpose plan. This plan is for people who also run a business from home. The rates are "stepped" based on your usage. E.g. the first 45 kWh of the day is one rate and anything over is another, higher rate.
Good to know. If you live in a remote community, Jabiru, Alyangula or Nhulunbuy, your retailer is Power and Water itself.
Compare gas retailers in Darwin and the NT
In the Northern Territory, residential properties aren't usually connected to a main gas supply.
In most instances, you'd only use gas for cooking in which case you'd need to purchase LPG bottled gas from suppliers such as Elgas, Kleenheat, Origin LPG or Supagas.
Greenest energy providers in NT
According to Greenpeace's Green Electricity Guide by Greenpeace, the 2 greenest electricity providers in the Northern Territory are:
Both providers are committed to ending coal use by 2030 and halting fossil fuel expansion.
Keep in mind: Compared to the greenest electricity providers in other parts of the country, both Jacana Energy and Rimfire Energy still have a long way to go.
Will getting solar in the NT reduce my energy bills?
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the Northern Territory experiences average annual daily sunshine hours between 9-10 hours, making it one of the sunniest parts of the country.
This means getting a solar PV system should reduce your energy bill as long as you can handle the upfront costs.
Ongoing savings. If you generate enough electricity to power your home, you'll pay less on your electricity bill. If you generate surplus electricity and send it back to the grid, you'll be able to get paid in the form of a solar feed-in tariff.
There are conditions for solar buyback rates. For Jacana Energy solar customers all solar units must be under 30kVa and you must consume less or equal to 750MWh/year.
Can I get solar rebates in the Northern Territory?
The Northern Territory government currently offers the Home and Business Battery Scheme.
Eligible homeowners can get a grant to assist with the purchase and installation of home batteries and inverters.
The grant is $450 per kWh of usable battery system capacity (maximum grant of $6,000).
Keep in mind: Jacana Energy customers who still receive the legacy premium 1 for 1 feed-in tariff (which was a higher rate of 26.65 c/kWh) will be transferred to a standard feed-in-tariff (9.13 c/kWh) if they receive this grant.
What is the Northern Territory Concession Scheme?
Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for a rebate to help with your energy bills.
Northern Territory Concession Scheme
This program helps Territorians under the age of 65 with living expenses. One of the eligible expenses is electricity bills.
You must be a current Northern Territory resident, Australian citizen/permanent resident and living in the Northern Territory for more than 183 days of the financial year.
You must be a recipient of a Centrelink or Veterans' Affairs payment.
Available to Jacana Energy and Power and Water Corporation customers.
Up to $1,200/year for electricity (8000kW) per household.
If you or a dependent has a medical condition that affects your energy consumption you can get a $154 allowance once your cap is exceeded.
Keep in mind: If you have a solar PV system your concession may be affected because you will be generating your own electricity.
Apply online or fill out the NT Concession Scheme application form. After your membership is approved you'll need to contact your electricity provider and quote your membership number to start receiving concessions.
Prepaid electricity meter concession
Assistance payments for those who pre-pay for their electricity.
You pre-pay for your electricity using either tokens, an e-meter or secure meter
You must be eligible for the Northern Territory Concession Scheme
$600 credited and distributed as tokens in January and July each year.
Apply online or fill out the NT Concession Scheme application form. After your membership is approved you'll need to contact your electricity provider and quote your membership number to start receiving concessions.
Caravan park concession
Assistance payments for those those who live in caravan parks.
You receive an electricity bill
You purchase private electricity tokens
$1.274 a day, payed as a reimbursement
Fill out the 'alternative energy and caravan concession park form' online with receipts and proof of payment.
Alternative energy concession
Assistance payments for those who don't pay for their energy directly.
You pay your property owner for electricity as part of a rental agreement
You purchase private electricity tokens from accommodation providers such as a caravan park, retirement village or crisis accommodation
You generate your own energy for domestic use and aren't connected to the grid
$1.274 a day, payed as a reimbursement
Fill out the 'alternative energy and caravan concession park form' online with receipts and proof of payment.
Northern Territory Seniors Recognition Scheme
A program to support seniors in the Northern Territory with paying for living expenses.
To be eligible you must be aged 65 or older, an NT resident and either an Australian Citizen/permanent resident OR temporary visa holder with a valid Medicare card.
$500 prepaid card each financial year to spend how you like. You can put it toward your energy bill or any other expenses.
Australian citizens or permanent residents can apply online on the Northern Territory government website. Other eligible residents must fill in the NT Seniors Recognition Scheme membership application form (also available online).
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Frequently asked questions
While the Northern Territory energy market has been open for competition since 2010, there aren't many electricity providers currently offering residential plans because the market is heavily regulated. If you use less than 750MWh/year, the maximum price you can be charged is set by the Northern Territory Government's Retail Electricity Pricing Order.
It's incredibly unlikely that even a large household would use anywhere near 750MWh of electricity a year. Because prices are capped there's of course less competition. Only people in major town centres like Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs can choose between the few providers available.
If you have the option to compare, look out for the cheapest prices, any hidden fees for connecting/disconnecting, and what your payment options are to help you make a decision.
There are several factors that make the NT a less competitive energy market including:
Price caps. Electricity providers could only charge up to the price set by the Territory government.
Fewer customers. Only customers with interval or smart meters are able to switch providers. Many residents of the NT use prepaid meters.
Smaller market. The costs associated with running operations for the (comparatively) smaller number of customers in the Northern Territory aren't worth it for most retailers.
Your energy distributor is your first port of call when you need to report an outage or check for scheduled network maintenance.
Distributor
Network area
Power and Water Corporation
All of the NT
The following is a list or registered electricity retailers. Some may not be offering plans to residential customers at present.
In the Northern Territory, the peak and off-peak times are for a time of use tariff are set by the Power and Water Corporation. Times and rates are as follows:
Period
Time
Rate
Peak
6am to 6pm all days of the week
32.2882 cents/kWh
Off-peak
6pm to 6am all days of the week
24.6196 cents/kWh
There are several tariff types available in the NT and the maximum price for each is set annually by the Northern Territory Government's Retail Electricity Pricing Order.
These include:
Tariff type
Fixed daily charge ($)
Usage charge (cents/kWh)
Domestic - standard tariff
0.8426
27.3726
Domestic - time of use tariff
0.8426
32.2882 (Peak)
24.6196 (Off peak)
Multipurpose tariff
0.5396
27.3726 (First 45kWh per day)
31.8857 (Above 45kWh per day)
Prepay tariff
N/A
30.0941
Public benevolent institution tariff
0.6584
28.1986
Caravan park resident tariff
N/A
36.5391
The current standard feed-in tariff for Jacana Energy customers with solar plans is 9.13 cents/kWh.
If you're on the Premium feed-in tariff your rate is 27.3726 cents/kWh.
Most Western Australia residents can't switch electricity providers but have a few options when it comes to gas. Find out if you can switch energy retailers.
Energy prices are expected to rise by up to 29% in QLD on 1 July 2023., but there's plenty of electricity and gas providers to choose from and potentially save money on your energy bills.
Compare, switch and save on your electricity plan in Victoria today.
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