The Queensland Competition Authority has published the final determination on 2021-22 regulated retail electricity prices, with changes coming into effect on 1 July 2021.
Here’s a few suggested next steps to understand the impact on your business and what you can do ensure an easy transition.
- Check whether your existing tariff rates have changed. To read more about the tariffs, visit the Ergon Business tariff webpage HERE.
- Check whether a load-control or interruptible supply tariff will work for you. As a small customer, you could choose T34 as a primary tariff, or choose from T31 or T33 as secondary tariffs. As a large customer, you could choose T60B as a primary tariff or T60B as a secondary tariff.
- Note that load control is not available in all areas.
- Supply under these tariffs can be interrupted during peak demand times so you should assess whether that interruption will be acceptable to your operations.
- Read our article about Load Control Tariffs HERE.
- Check whether any of the new tariffs will work for you.
- Obsolete tariffs such as T21, T20L, T22 (small and large), T37, T62, T65 and T66 will be “discontinued tariffs” and phased out on 1 July 2021. From 1 July 2021, the new Limited Access Obsolete Tariff, now called T62A, T65A and T66A, will only be available to customers that have accessed the corresponding discontinued tariffs (that is T62, T65 and T66) at any time between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2020.
- Customers who haven’t requested a change from an obsolete tariff, will automatically be changed to a suitable tariff on 1 July 2021 by Ergon Retail. If you don’t like the tariff selected, you can change at no cost to another tariff.
- If you choose a seasonal time-of-use tariff (T22A and T24), you will need to remain on that tariff for one year.
- Find out more about the Electricity Tariff Adjustment Scheme – see below.
- If you are in regional Queensland, consider signing up to Ergon’s Energy Analysis via My Account – see below.
There is no cost to change tariffs. However, your meter may need to be updated to access the tariff. If the meter box needs upgrading or a meter needs to be changed due to tariffs expiring, a licenced electrical contractor will be required and fees will need to be discussed with the contractor.
The Electricity Tariff Adjustment Scheme (ETAS)
The Queensland Government are making a transition rebate available to help regional businesses move from obsolete tariffs to standard business tariffs. ETAS will provide eligible customers with transition rebates on their electricity bills for up to nine years to partially offset any increased electricity costs. Eligible customers will be contacted by Ergon Energy Retail and the rebate will be applied automatically to their bill.
To find out more about the scheme HERE.
To see the Government Media Announcement, click HERE.
Energy Analysis via My Account
Logging in to Energy Analysis will open up a portal to understanding tariffs and usage patterns, where you can see demand data, manage your account and even predict your usage forward in time to see which will be the best tariff for your business. It’s free and accessible through My Account.
Note that the new tariffs are expected to be included in the system on 5 July 2021
Business customers with single or multiple sites can:
- See the best value tariff for your premises based on your usage history
- Find the best value tariff for the future by changing usage scenarios
- Monitor demand and power factor to reduce costs and make your operations more efficient
- Keep ahead of your bills by setting up alerts straight to your phone or email
- Keep track of your usage with reports emailed regularly
- check your past bills or usage history
- request an extension to your payment due date (small businesses only)
- Keep track of your CO2 emissions
- Quickly kick off a tariff change online
- Update your account details online with a few clicks
- 24/7 anytime, anywhere access.
To access these tools, including online tutorials to guide you, simply login or register for My Account HERE.
Drought Relief
Some customers have been receiving drought relief with their obsolete tariff under the Drought Relief from Electricity Charges Scheme (DRECS). Your Daily Service Charge will continue to be waived under your replacement tariff/s, as long as you continue to meet the DRECS eligibility requirements.
More Information
For more information about energy tariffs and energy efficiency, contact the Energy Savers team at energysavers@qff.org.au.