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Explaining Electricity Prices in Western Australia

Published on April 11, 2018 4:22 am, by Jen Bakker

Electricity prices in Western Australia are regulated.

There are two types of residential customers in Western Australia. Non-contestable and contestable customers.

Most residential properties and small businesses fall into the category of non-contestable. These are customers who use less than 50 megawatts per year. 50 megawatts of usage equates to approx. $15,000 spent on electricity per year. Non-contestable customers do not have options to change retailers, with Synergy Western Australia’s only electricity retailer for these customers within the South West Interconnected System.

This means that non-contestable customers don’t have the opportunity to source lower prices through competition.

Many medium to large businesses fall into the category of contestable customers and have a variety of retailers they can have their electricity with. In addition, customers outside of the South West Interconnected System are contestable and can choose their retailer. Customers should be aware that, at present, Horizon Power is the only retailer in many regional areas.

The government in Western Australia regulates Synergy’s and Horizon Power’s electricity prices. Synergy and Horizon Power must make the regulated prices available to their small use customers.

So how do make savings?

Saving money on your electricity bill

Due to the lack of competition in Western Australia, reducing costs for electricity comes down to your eligibility for a subsidy and knowing how you can reduce your bill by changing your usage habits.

Check here to see you if you are eligible for concessions:

https://www.moneybrilliant.com.au/blogs/energy-concessions-wa/

Tips for reducing energy consumption around your home

• Turn your hot water off overnight, the temperature is normally only slightly reduced by morning, and you can switch it back on when you wake up
• If you have a time of use meter, do your clothes & dishwashing outside of peak times
• Know which appliances are expensive to run & minimise use – e.g. clothes dryer, air conditioner, heater
• Turn off switches when appliances are not in use – e.g. television, microwave, lights, fans
• Wash clothes in cold water as much as possible
• Be efficient in your use of washing machines & dishwashers – make sure you have a full load
• Turn off the lights when you leave a room
• In winter use rugs & door stops to block gaps in doors and naturally warm your home