Energy Queensland: The Facts & Myths Around Electricity Prices and Consumption
To provide greater awareness around the electricity market and supply chain, prices, bill structure and consumption, Energy Queensland has compiled a number of fact sheets and key information to help business and residential customers understand the facts and myths around electricity.
If your business requires further information, Ergon Energy Retail has dedicated teams in Townsville to assist customers.
Business customer service 1300 135 210 (7.00am - 6.30pm Monday to Friday)
Residential customer service 13 10 46 (7.00am - 6:30pm Monday to Friday)
HOW IT ALL WORKS
The National Electricity Market Fact Sheet
The National Electricity Market (NEM) operates on one of the world’s longest interconnected power systems, stretching from Port Douglas in Queensland to Port Lincoln in South Australia and across the Bass Strait to Tasmania – a distance of around 5,000 kilometres.
The NEM spans Australia’s eastern and south-eastern coasts and comprises five interconnected states that also act as price regions: Queensland, New South Wales(including the Australian CapitalTerritory), South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania.
Electricity Supply Chain
To understand the NEM, it’s necessary to understand the journey that electricity takes as it travels from generators to customers, and the technology and infrastructure that makes this possible.
ELECTRICITY PRICES
The Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) determines electricity prices each year by taking into consideration a number of factors. In regional Queensland Ergon Energy Retail is required by the Electricity Act to charge the notified prices set out by the QCA.
The Queensland Competition Authority’s final determination on prices for 2019-2020 came into effect on July 1 and full details of the determination and pricing is available on the QCA website.
To download or view the residential or small business 'Fact Sheet' please click on the buttons below.
QCA ELECTRICITY FAQs
Please see the FAQs topics below addressed on the QCA website.
- Electricity prices
- Solar
- Card-Operated Meters
- Gas
- Other Matters
ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION
To save money on your electricity bill, it's important to understand how your business uses electricity and what you can do to reduce its usage. A good place to start is Ergon Energy's tips for businesses.
Office Equipment
Office equipment can account for up to 20% of your electricity usage, so its important to ensure you're using them efficiently.
Find out more
Lighting
Lighting is often your business’s highest electricity cost, so it may also be your greatest opportunity for savings.
Refrigeration
Your choice of refrigeration equipment, as well as the way you operate it, can have a big impact on your electricity bill.
Air conditioning
Air conditioning can account for up to 50% of your business’s electricity bill, so it’s a great idea to improve its energy efficiency.
Compressed air
You can lower your electricity costs and save money by managing compressed air systems more efficiently and taking a few proactive steps.
Food service equipment
More energy efficient practices for your cooking facilities can benefit your business, with significant cost savings and less wastage.
Pumps
The running cost of a pump is many times its initial cost, so it’s crucial that you select an efficient pumping system for your business.
Hot water
Choosing new technologies, regular maintenance, fixing leaks and changing some old habits can reduce your energy use on hot water.
Please visit the Ergon Energy Retail website for more information.
