The seasonality of agricultural activities and multiple meters on farms can lead to variable energy consumption patterns. While the complex tariff configuration, limited offering in rural areas, and the specific access requirements make it difficult for farms to choose the optimal tariff. Improving energy opportunities for agricultural industries requires a better understanding of the challenges around energy use and greater flexibility in the design of tariffs.
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and the University of Queensland (UQ) are leading a research project to understand how farmers consider and choose electricity tariffs for their operations. The goal is to better assist farmers in the decision-making process when switching tariffs or retailers, helping to reduce costs on-farm and improve productivity.
QFF and UQ are looking to interview 70 interested farmers across Queensland and New South Wales by phone or Zoom for around 30 minutes. The participants will receive a $40 gift card. Farmers interested in participating should complete a few questions at this LINK, which would take less than 5 minutes, and will then be contacted by email to coordinate their interview.
The questions will focus on electricity tariffs, options to change them and energy consumption and generation systems. The results will provide real experiences about the impacts of tariff switching in agricultural operations, supporting QFF’s submissions on energy regulations to promote greater inclusion of farmers’ needs in the design of tariffs.
The project will also provide insights into the role of feed-in tariffs as a motivator or barrier to farmers’ adoption of energy productivity solutions, and solar and battery systems, allowing a more strategic design of these initiatives and their benefits for farmers.
If you want to know more about electricity tariffs and strategies to reduce costs on your farm, sign up for this webinar hosted by QFF and Ergon retail on November 2.
If you have any questions, please email Carolina in the QFF energy team at carolina@qff.org.au.