- Customers in the ACT are able to choose from several electricity and gas retailers.
- The government regulates the maximum price retailers are able to charge customers for electricity in the ACT.
- Canberra aims to produce 90% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
Electricity and gas plans in Canberra and the ACT
Find the cheapest energy providers operating in the Australian Capital Territory (March 2020)
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While your choices are limited in Canberra and the ACT, we've gone through and sorted some of your cheapest options.
To start the month of March, the following plans for electricity and gas came up top for estimated price in ACT:
- Cheapest electricity. Origin Max Saver at $295.51 per quarter
- Cheapest gas. Origin Max Saver Usage at $228.5 per quarter
We update our top picks for the best energy deals (gas and electricity) every month to help you find an affordable plan for your needs. While these are the cheapest we found, it may not always be the best option for you personally. You can use our energy plans search engine & filters to find a better match for you.
Compare cheap energy retailers in ACT
Cheapest electricity in ACT for March 2020
The Origin Max Saver is the cheapest choice for residents of the Australian Capital Territory.
Rates
| Estimated quarterly price ($) | Supply (c/day) | Usage (c/kWh) | Solar (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 295.51 | 99.26 | 24.10 | 8.00 |
Key benefits
- No lock-in contract or exit fees.
- 10 day cooling off period.
Limitations
- Must pay by direct debit.
- Have to agree to e-communications and billing, plus install the Origin app.
- Variable rates may change at any time.
Cheapest gas plans in ACT for March 2020
The cheapest natural gas plan for the ACT is the Origin Max Saver Usage plan.
| Estimated quarterly price ($) | Supply (c/day) | Usage (c/MJ) |
|---|---|---|
| 228.5 | 79.48 | 3.77, dropping to a minimum of 2.84 with daily usage. |
Key benefits
- No lock-in contract or exit fees.
- 10 day cooling off period.
- 12 month benefit period.
Limitations
- Must pay by direct debit.
- Have to accept e-communications and billing, and download the Origin app.
- Variable rates may change at any time.
What are the cheapest electricity plans in the ACT?
Although the cheapest plans may vary based on the type of tariff, your location, your household and your usage, you can get a general idea of who is the cheapest using this table.
| Brand | Plan name | Estimated price (per 91 days) | Estimated price (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerclub | Powerbank Home Flat | $233.60 | $934.40 |
| EnergyAustralia | Total Plan Home | $234.37 | $937.48 |
| Origin Energy | Origin Max Saver | $238.31 | $953.24 |
| ActewAGL | ACT Home 20% offer | $242.65 | $970.60 |
| Energy Locals | Online Saver - Anytime | $250.81 | $1,003.24 |
| Red Energy | Living Energy Saver (010) | $250.81 | $1,003.24 |
| Simply Energy | ACT Simply Standing Offer | $259.72 | $1,038.88 |
| Amber | Amber Plan | $276.64 | $1,106.56 |
List of energy providers in ACT
Electricity prices in Canberra are fully regulated, which means the government determines energy prices. As a result, there aren't as many energy retailers as there are in other parts of the country. However, customers can still choose from several electricity and gas retailers.
Most of the energy produced in the ACT comes from solar sources and the government plans to have 90% of the ACT's electricity coming from renewable sources by 2020. The ACT has several solar farms and residents can get solar feed-in tariffs from all of the main retailers operating in the territory. However, not all retailers offer installation so make sure to check if you need to arrange solar installation before signing up.
ACT energy retailers
Evoenergy, owned by ActewAGL, is the main electricity and gas distributor in the ACT but residents can choose from the following energy retailers:
| Link to provider review | ⚡ Electricity | ♨️ Gas | ☀️ Solar |
|---|---|---|---|
| ActewAGL | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| EnergyAustralia | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Origin | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Energy Locals | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Powerclub | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Businesses have a few additional options and can sign up for electricity with Next Business Energy and ERM Business Energy. Simply Energy also operates in the ACT, but only accepts customers who are registered for the Next Generation Energy Storage Program.
Main energy plans in ACT
ActewAGL - Home 20% Offer
Variable rate electricity plan with no connection fee after moving and flexible payments, billed quarterly. Has a guaranteed discount over a 12 month benefit period and no lock-in contracts or exit fees. Choose between 10 and 100% GreenPower.
EnergyAustralia - No Frills
Fixed prices on electricity for the first 12 months, paid by direct debit only. Bills are paid quarterly, there is no lock-in contract, and you can pick from 10 to 100% GreenPower energy. When you opt in you can get full carbon offsets after 6 months.
Origin - Max Saver
You can access this variable rate electricity plan if you pay by direct debit, get your bills and communications online, and install the Origin app. Benefits apply over the first 12 months, and you can get between 25 and 100% GreenPower renewable offsets. No exit fees, with monthly billing options.
Red Energy - Living Energy Saver
In this plan, you receive variable rate electricity with no contract term and flexible payment options. You have a choice of monthly billing and 100% GreenPower, if you want.
Energy Locals - Online Saver Anytime
Prices are fixed until the 1st of July 2020, and there's no lock-in contract. You have a choice of monthly billing and can add in GreenPower options between 10 and 100%.
How to get cheaper energy
- Check base rates. The base rates are how much you pay per unit of energy that you consume, and are the most important part of an energy plan. Other discounts and features aside, cheaper usage rates usually translate to cheaper energy bills.
- Investigate discounts. Discounts have two flavours: conditional, where you have to meet a certain condition for it to apply, and guaranteed, which will apply regardless. Guaranteed discounts are preferable to conditional ones, but both will generally apply only for a limited period of time.
- Consider tariffs. Most plans offer a flat rate, where you pay the same amount no matter when you use power. Consider switching to a time of use tariff, where the day is split into peak and off-peak usage. If your off-peak usage is considerably higher than your peak, you may be able to save by choosing this kind of tariff.
- Regular comparisons. Deals change and benefit periods are limited. If you review your energy options regularly, there's a good chance you might be able to access better deals than a plan you've been on for a while.
Key terms in ACT
Energy prices in the ACT are regulated by the government. However, some providers may still offer cheaper plans than others. In addition to price, there are several other factors you should consider when choosing an energy plan.
- Solar installation. While most providers in the ACT offer solar feed-in tariffs, not all providers offer solar panel installation. If you're looking to install a new solar system, it might be cheaper to sign up with a retailer who offers comprehensive solar services including installation.
- Discounts. Many providers offer discounts. These discounts can include bill reductions for paying your bills on time and bundling discounts if you sign up for electricity and gas with the same provider.
- Flexible payment options. Check to see how your provider lets you pay your bills. It might be possible to pay your bills in advance or in flexible instalments.
- Monitoring. Some providers let you monitor your energy bills and usage using a smartphone app.
- Fees. Some providers charge a fee for finishing a contract early or signing up for a new plan.
- Contract terms. Make sure to check your contract terms carefully. Some providers automatically roll over your contract when it expires, which can be convenient but may come with higher costs.
Switching
Your choice of retail provider can make a noticeable difference to the size of your energy bill. Once you've compared electricity and gas plans and chosen a new provider, it's relatively easy to switch. It's simply a matter of applying with the new provider and cancelling your existing plan. Your new provider should generally be able to supply your energy by the next day.
Picture: GettyImages
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Ask an Expert
I live in Duffy so do i have an option of electricity suppliers?
Hey Robert,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Regarding your options on electricity suppliers in your area, availability would vary depending on location.
You may fill out the form on this page on Energy Comparison for Australian Capital Territory to consult an energy broker.
I hope this helps.
Best,
Maria
Name of gas suppliers that service red hill act
Hi Tully!
Thanks for the comment.
Currently, we have ActewAGL as the sole option for ACT residents on our page.
You may complete the inquiry form and an energy consultant will get in touch with you.
Hope this clarifies.
Cheers,
Jonathan