New electricity pricing and tariff structures for 2012-13
The Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) is currently developing a new system for electricity pricing in Queensland that changes the way customers are charged for the electricity they use.
Queensland has operated the same electricity pricing system for more than 20 years. The current electricity pricing system does not adequately reflect the cost of supplying electricity in Queensland and has not kept pace with the changing way we use electricity in our homes and businesses.
The QCA will finalise the new structure, including new electricity tariffs by 31 May 2012. The new tariffs will apply to all Queensland electricity bills from 1 July 2012.
For more information please visit the Department of Energy and Water Supply (DEWS).
Current electricity prices
From 1 July 2011, all notified tariffs for Queensland customers, set by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) increased by 6.6%. For meter reads after 30 June 2011, the bill will be calculated pro rata based on the new tariff structures and number of days specified on your bill.
The prices and conditions on this page are GST inclusive and are shown in cents to three decimal places.They are to be used as a guide only and are subject to change. All other payments and minimum payments are shown in dollars and cents.
Please read the summary information with each tariff to assist you in selecting the most appropriate options for your requirements. If you make a change to your current tariff(s) or request a change within 12 months additional fees may apply.
The tariffs are based on a 415/240 volt supply. If your business requires a high-voltage service or assistance in selecting the most appropriate tariffs for your business, please contact us to discuss your needs.
For more information contact us on 13 10 46, Monday to Friday, 7.00am to 6.30pm
Tariff 20 General Supply
| Commercial & Industrial Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
This tariff may be used for all types of electricity usage. It is the most appropriate tariff for businesses with predominantly daytime energy requirements. This tariff is not available at the same installation as Tariffs 21, 22, 41, 43, 62 or 63. |
Tariff 20 General Supply | |
|
All consumption - Cents per kWh |
25.509 |
|
|
Service fee per metering point per month* |
$15.87 |
|
*The minimum payments or service fees cover the cost of maintaining supply, the provision of equipment and general administration.
Tariff 21 General Supply
| Commercial & Industrial Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
This tariff is suitable only for installations where the typical monthly usage is under 330kWh. This tariff is not available at the same installation as Tariffs 20, 22, 41, 43, 62 or 63. |
Tariff 21 General Supply | |
|
First 100 kWh per month - Cents per kWh |
31.680 |
|
|
Next 9,900 kWh per month - Cents per kWh |
29.766 |
|
|
Remaining usage - Cents per kWh |
22.660 |
|
|
Minimum payment per month* |
$14.19 |
|
*The minimum payments or service fees cover the cost of maintaining supply, the provision of equipment and general administration.
Tariff 22 General Supply Time of Use
| Commercial & Industrial Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
This tariff has a substantially lower rate than Tariff 20 and may be suitable for installations where operations can be managed so that about 30% or more of total electricity usage occurs at night or on weekends. Low Rate electricity is available between 9pm and 7am, Monday to Friday, and all weekend. Electricity used outside these hours is charged at the higher rate. This tariff is not available at the same installation as Tariffs 20, 21, 41, 43, 62 or 63. |
Tariff 22 General Supply Time of Use | |
|
Low Rate - Cents per kWh |
10.912 |
|
|
All other consumption High Rate (7am to 9pm Mon-Fri) - Cents per kWh |
30.987 |
|
|
Service fee per metering point per month* |
$34.97 |
|
*The minimum payments or service fees cover the cost of maintaining supply, the provision of equipment and general administration.
Tariff 31 Night Rate (Super Economy)
| Commercial & Industrial Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
Super Economy is the cheapest tariff available for applicable electric storage water heaters and other applicable permanently connected equipment. This is because we control the supply to generally provide your electricity at night when demand is low. Electricity supply is made available for a minimum of eight hours per day during time periods set at the discretion of Ergon Energy, but usually between the hours of 10pm and 7am when there is low demand. |
Tariff 31 Night Rate (Super Economy) |
|
|
All Consumption - Cents per kWh |
9.284 |
|
|
Minimum payment per month* |
$6.09 |
|
*The minimum payments or service fees cover the cost of maintaining supply, the provision of equipment and general administration.
Tariff 33 Controlled Supply (Economy)
| Commercial & Industrial Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
This tariff can be applied to applicable storage water heaters (including solar, electric and heat pump water heaters) only. Electricity supply is made available for a minimum of 18 hours per day during time periods set at the discretion of Ergon Energy at a reduced cost. |
Tariff 33 Controlled Supply (Economy) |
|
|
All Consumption - Cents per kWh |
13.673 |
|
|
Minimum payment per month* |
$6.09 |
|
*The minimum payments or service fees cover the cost of maintaining supply, the provision of equipment and general administration.
Tariff 37 Non-Domestic Heating Time of Use (Obsolescent)
| Commercial & Industrial Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
No new customers will be supplied under this tariff. It is available only to customers taking supply under Tariff 37 at 30 June 2007. This tariff is available for non-domestic loads only. It covers a variety of applications including electric water heaters, production of steam and other permanently connected heating loads of 4kWh or more. Supplementary load that is permanently connected as an integral part of the installation may be supplied under this tariff provided that the aggregated rating of such supplementary load does not exceed 10% of the heating load. |
Tariff 37 Non-Domestic Heating Time of Use (Obsolescent) |
|
|
From 10.30pm to 4.30pm (18 hours) - Cents per kWh |
13.563 |
|
|
From 4.30pm to 10.30pm (6 hours) - Cents per kWh |
33.924 |
|
|
Minimum payment per month* |
$5.80 |
|
*The minimum payments or service fees cover the cost of maintaining supply, the provision of equipment and general administration.
Tariff 41 Low Voltage General Supply Demand
| Commercial & Industrial Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
This tariff can be appropriate for customers having a monthly usage of about 18,000kWh or greater and a load factor over 35%. As well as having an electrical energy (kWh) charge, there is also a charge for the power demand that is imposed on the electricity supply system by the installation. This demand is affected by the amount of equipment operated at the same time. No other tariffs are available for use in conjunction with Tariff 41. |
Tariff 41 Low Voltage General Supply Demand |
|
|
Energy Charge - All Consumption - Cents per kWh |
7.898 |
|
|
Demand Charge# (per kW of chargeable demand per month)* |
$37.57 |
|
|
Service fee per metering point per month* |
$53.52 |
|
#The maximum demand recorded in that month or 60% of highest maximum demand from any of the previous 11 months or 75kW, whichever is the highest figure.
*The minimum payments or service fees cover the cost of maintaining supply, the provision of equipment and general administration.
Tariff 43 General Supply Demand Time of Use
| Commercial & Industrial Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
This tariff is for large installations. It is particularly suitable for customers using over 200,000kWh per month, when their load factor is in the range of 35% to 85% and off-peak energy usage ranges between 20% and 75%. No other tariffs are available for use with Tariff 43. |
Tariff 43 General Supply Demand Time of Use |
|
|
Energy Charge - (7.00am - 11.00pm Mon - Fri) - Cents per kWh |
16.070 |
|
|
Other Times - Cents per kWh |
6.424 |
|
|
Demand Charge^ (per kW of chargeable demand per month)* |
$16.27 |
|
|
Service fee per metering point per month* |
$53.52 |
|
^The maximum demand recorded in that month or 60% of the highest maximum demand from any of the previous 11 months or 400kW, whichever is the highest figure.
*The minimum payments or service fees cover the cost of maintaining supply, the provision of equipment and general administration.
Tariff 62 Farm Time of Use
| Domestic Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
This tariff is applicable to Farming customers with a good deal of night and weekend electricity usage e.g. irrigation, stock watering, pumping, piggery heating, dairy refrigeration, hatchery lighting or similar loads, including combined domestic and farm installations. Low Rate electricity is available between 9pm and 7am Monday to Friday and all weekend. Electricity used outside these hours is charged at the higher rate. Not available at the same installation and in conjunction with Tariffs 20, 21, 22, 41, 43 or 63. |
Tariff 62 Farm Time of Use | |
|
Low Rate - Cents per kWh |
11.517 |
|
|
All other Consumption High Rate (7am - 9pm) First 10,000kWh per month - Cents per kWh |
32.571 |
|
|
Remainder - Cents per kWh |
27.544 |
|
|
Service fee per metering point per month* |
$16.72 |
|
*The minimum payments or service fees cover the cost of maintaining supply, the provision of equipment and general administration.
Tariff 65 Irrigation Time of Use
| Domestic Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
This tariff is available for irrigation only and is provided for those irrigators requiring a longer night-time watering period. Low Rate is available for electricity used in a fixed 12 hour daily pricing period from the range 7pm to 7am, 7.30pm to 7.30am or 8pm to 8am, Monday to Sunday inclusive. High Rate is for electricity used at other times. The 12 hour daily pricing period is agreed between Ergon Energy and the customer. No alteration to the selected daily pricing period shall be permitted until a period of 12 months has elapsed from the previous selection. |
Tariff 65 Irrigation Time of Use | |
|
Low Rate - fixed 12 hr daily pricing period (as agreed between the customer and Ergon Energy) - Cents per kWh |
14.311 |
|
|
High Rate - Cents per kWh |
25.982 |
|
|
Service fee per metering point per month* |
$16.72 |
|
*The minimum payments or service fees cover the cost of maintaining supply, the provision of equipment and general administration.
Tariff 66 Irrigation
| Domestic Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
This tariff is most suited for irrigation pumps of over 7.5kW, which are used for long hours. Temporary disconnection is possible; however before reconnection a payment of the outstanding balance of the Annual Fixed Charge (covering the part of the year corresponding to the period of disconnection) is required. This is available for irrigation only. It has a service fee, a fixed annual charge based on the size of motors installed and a flat rate for each unit of metered energy. |
Tariff 66 Irrigation | |
|
Energy Charge - All consumption - Cents per kWh |
13.618 |
|
|
*Service fee per metering point per month |
$36.85 |
|
|
Annual fixed charge (in respect of supply) |
|
|
|
First 7.5kW, rate per kW |
$26.41 |
|
|
Remaining kW, rate per kW |
$79.41 |
|
|
Minimum annual fixed charge (based on 7.5kW motor) |
$198.08 |
|
Tariff 68 Irrigation Pumping in Drought Declared Areas
| Domestic Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
A customer who is a farmer in a drought declared area, or whose property is individually drought declared, may transfer individually metered irrigation pumping loads to this tariff. If water pumping time restrictions continue to apply after the drought declaration is revoked, the customer may remain on this tariff until the restrictions are lifted, or for 12 months after the revocation of the drought declaration, whichever is the earlier. |
Tariff 68 Irrigation Pumping in Drought Declared Areas | |
|
All consumption - Cents per kWh |
20.900 |
|
Tariff 63 Farm Time of Use (Obsolescent)
| Domestic Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
No new customers will be supplied under this tariff. It is replaced by Tariff 62. It was only available to customers taking supply under Tariff 63 at 26 March 1995. Under this tariff the required minimum annual consumption at 'other times' is 3,000kWh. If the annual consumption at 'other times' is less than 3,000kWh the shortfall will be charged at the rate applicable at 'other times' at the time that the charge for the shortfall is being calculated. Not available at the same installation and in conjunction with Tariffs 20, 21, 22, 41, 43 or 62. |
Tariff 63 Farm Time of Use (Obsolescent) | |
|
Low Rate - Cents per kWh |
12.188 |
|
|
All other consumption - High Rate (7am - 9pm) First 100 kWh per month - Cents per kWh |
57.783 |
|
|
Next 9,900 kWh per month - Cents per kWh |
35.365 |
|
|
Remainder - Cents per kWh |
27.698 |
|
|
Minimum annual billing on Low Rate of this tariff is 3,000kWh |
$365.64 |
|
Tariff 64 Irrigation Time of Use (Obsolescent)
| Domestic Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
No new customers will be supplied under this tariff. It is replaced by Tariff 65. It was only available to customers taking supply under Tariff 64 at 26 March 1995. Low Rate is for electricity used in a fixed 12 hour daily pricing period (from the range 7pm to 7am, 7.30pm to 7.30am or 8pm to 8am) Monday to Sunday inclusive. High rate is for electricity used at other times. The 12 hour daily pricing period is agreed between Ergon Energy and the customer. No alteration to the selected daily pricing period shall be permitted until 12 months has elapsed from the date of the previously selected pricing period. |
Tariff 64 Irrigation Time of Use (Obsolescent) | |
|
Low Rate - electricity consumed in a fixed 12-hour daily pricing period (as agreed between Customer and Ergon Energy) - Cents per kWh |
15.499 |
|
|
High Rate - Cents per kWh |
28.226 |
|
|
Minimum payment per month* |
$14.96 |
|
*The minimum payments or service fees cover the cost of maintaining supply, the provision of equipment and general administration.
Tariff 67 Farm (Obsolescent)
| Domestic Prices - effective 1 July 2011 | Pricing structure | GST inclusive Notified Price Cents per kWh |
|---|---|---|
|
No new customers will be supplied under this tariff. (Applicable only to customers supplied under the Rural Subsidy Scheme introduced in 1973.) |
Tariff 67 Farm (Obsolescent) | |
|
All Consumption - Cents per kWh |
28.116 |
|
|
Minimum payment per month* |
$14.96 |
|
Plus: Annual payment as set down in the Rural Subsidy Scheme agreement between the Customer and Ergon Energy.
*The minimum payments or service fees cover the cost of maintaining supply, the provision of equipment and general administration.
Some frequently asked questions
- How are our electricity charges calculated?
- Do Ergon Energy customers receive an electricity subsidy from the Queensland Government?
- What is a Time of Use tariff?
- What is a Demand tariff?
- How is the Load Factor calculated?
How are our electricity charges calculated?
Your electricity charges are based upon notified prices stipulated in the Tariff Schedule set by the QCA available to commercial and industrial installations. The tariffs have been designed to suit the many different ways business and commercial operations utilise energy.
The exact number of days included in a specific account is stated on the bill. The charges for electricity shall be calculated pro rata based on the number of days specified in your bill.
Do Ergon Energy customers receive an electricity subsidy from the Queensland Government?
Ergon Energy receives a Community Service Obligation payment from the Queensland Government to ensure electricity is affordable for regional Queenslanders. The total payment is estimated to be over $400 million in the 2011/12 financial year.
What is a Time of Use tariff?
Time of Use tariffs allow customers some flexibility to choose when they use electricity. Electricity consumed in the Low Rate period will be cheaper than electricity consumed in the High Rate period. When choosing a Time of Use tariff, customers need to consider the time and application of power usage in order to achieve the lowest cost option.
What is a Demand tariff?
These tariffs are generally most suitable to large customers with a minimum usage of around 18,000kWh per month and a load factor of more than 35%. The charges include a Demand Charge based on the highest average rate of usage over any 30 minute period during the month. The demand indicator is reset to zero at each monthly meter reading.
How is the load factor calculated?
Load Factor is a ratio of the total energy used (kWh) for any given period of time, to your business's Maximum Demand (MD).
| Load Factor % = | kWh used in billing period X 100 MD (kW) X 24 hours X days stated on your account |
Call us if you need help in calculating your Load Factor.