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Are you looking to compare energy plans in Tasmania? There's never a bad time to consider your options and compare different electricity and gas plans to see if you can find a better deal. That's where Savvy can help you out!
Why compare energy plans through Savvy?
You won't need to pay a cent to compare a variety of energy plans online through Savvy, as it's 100% free.
By filling out your form and providing a recent energy bill, you can have all the facts and figures worked out for you.
When you fill out your quote, you'll be able to consider offers from some of the leading energy providers in Australia.
What do I need to know about choosing an energy plan in Tasmania?
Choosing an electricity retailer
Not all Tasmanians have the luxury of being able to choose their energy provider, as the gas and electricity market in Tasmania is comparatively small. For example, those living on King Island and Flinders Island have no choice but to use Momentum Energy (owned by Hydro Tasmania), as they are the only electricity retailer who supplies these islands.
However, those living in the major urban centres of Tasmania do have a choice of which electricity supplier they choose, and will have a range of energy plans to choose from.
Gas supply in Tasmania
The supply of natural gas in Tasmania is fairly limited. All natural gas is distributed by Tas Gas, and is currently limited to some (but not all) addresses in the following areas:
- Hobart
- Bridgewater
- Launceston
- Parts of Longford
- Devonport
- Parts of Ulverstone
- Burnie
- Parts of Wynyard
- Westbury
- Georgetown
However, new gas pipelines are being built all the time, so it is worth checking in with Tas Gas regularly to see if there are any new developments planned in your area.
What types of electricity tariffs are available in Tasmania?
In Tasmania there are different electricity tariffs to meet the diverse needs of consumers. The common tariffs are:
Standard single rate tariff
This is a basic tariff where you pay a fixed rate for the electricity you consume no matter what time of day or week it is.
Time of use tariff
With this plan, the cost of energy varies depending on the time of day. There are different rates for peak, off-peak, and shoulder periods. It can be beneficial if you can shift your energy usage to off-peak times when rates are lower.
Controlled load tariff
This plan is specifically for certain appliances or systems, such as electric hot water systems or underfloor slab heating. The electricity for these loads is supplied at a lower rate during specific times.
Feed-in tariff
This is the amount paid to owners of solar, wind or mini-hydro systems which feed electricity back into the Tasmanian electricity grid. The feed-in rate is set by the Office of the Tasmanian Regulator and is updated annually.
Feed-in tariff rate from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024
From 1 July 2023, the minimum feed-in tariff rate is 10.869 cents per kWh.
* All information is current as of June 2023, but subject to change.
How do I compare electricity plans in Tasmania?
To compare energy plans in Tasmania, consider the following options:
- Terms of the contract: some plans offer a fixed term (for example a year) while others have no fixed term and are on-going plans.
- Type of tariff on offer: choose between a single rate tariff, time of use tariff, or controlled loan tariff. The best tariff for your household will depend on what type of heating and cooling systems you have, and when your household tends to use the most energy.
- Smart meter compatible: check what sort of electricity meter you have. If you do have a smart electricity meter, check whether the plan you are considering is compatible with smart meter use.
- Solar feed-in tariff rate: compare the feed-in tariff rate you will be paid for any excess electricity your solar system may generate (if you have a solar system.) These can range from 6c/kWh to 10c/kWh.
- Green energy options: if caring for the environment is important for you, compare the percentage of GreenPower available with the plan, or check if a carbon neutral plan is available from that retailer.
- Fees and charges: compare the different fees which come with the plan. Look out for fees such as the basic supply charge, late payment fees, paper bill fees, credit card usage fees, and early exit fees. These fees can vary a great deal between energy retailers, so comparing them is crucial to understanding the overall cost of the plan.
Using Savvy's 100% free comparison service, you can confidently evaluate and compare electricity plans and select one that aligns with your budget, usage patterns, and sustainability goals.
Who are the energy distributors in Tasmania?
Energy distributors are responsible for delivering gas and electricity to our homes and businesses. They own and maintain the powerlines, poles, pipes, and meters that bring energy to our properties. If you experience a power outage or a gas leak, you should contact your energy distributor to fix the problem, rather than reaching out to the retailer who sells you the gas or electricity.
- Electricity distributors in Tasmania: TasNetworks distributes electricity to the whole of Tasmania. This is the government-owned electricity distributor.
- Gas distributors in Tasmania: Tas Gas is the gas distributor for all of Tasmania.
Who are the energy retailers in Tasmania?
Energy retailers purchase power from the energy generators, and then sell it to customers (at a higher price.) They pay the energy distributors to use their infrastructure, and pass on this cost to their customers through a separate cost on our power bills, known as the supply charge.
Electricity retailers in TAS
- 1st Energy
- Aurora Energy
- CovaU
- Energy Locals
- Momentum Energy (King Island and Flinders Island residents only)
Gas retailers in TAS
- Tas Gas
- Aurora Energy
*Information on energy retailers in Tasmania is current as of 20 June 2023, but subject to change.
What assistance is available for Tasmanians with their energy bills?
The Tasmanian State Government provides various assistance packages for residents and pensioners.
Annual electricity concession
This concession provides a daily discount to eligible customers for their principal place of residence. The current concession (as of 20 June 2023) is 157.460 cents per day.
Eligibility for the annual electricity concession
To be eligible for the electricity concession you must hold one of the following concession cards:
- Pensioner Concession Card – issued by Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs
- Health Care Card – issued by Centrelink
- ImmiCard (Bridging Visa E) – issued by Department of Immigration and Border Security
The name on the concession card must match the name of the account holder of the electricity account. The concession recipient must be responsible for the payment of the electricity account.
Life support concession
This is available to anyone who requires an approved life support system in their home. A daily discount rate is applied to the electricity bill issued to the account holder for that household where a life support system is required. The amount of the discount varies according to the life support system which is required, and varies from 41c to 219c per day.
Medical cooling or heating allowance
Those with a medical condition which is affected by temperate extremes can apply for this energy concession. It is calculated on a daily rate and automatically subtracted from the household's energy bill. As of June 2023, the daily concession rate is 47.163 cents per day.
*All information is correct as of 20 June 2023, but subject to change.
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More of your questions about energy plans in Tasmania
The peak and off-peak tariff times in Tasmania are:
- Peak time: Monday to Friday, 7am to 10am and 4pm to 9pm
- Off-peak time: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm and 9pm to 7am, plus all day over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday)
Yes – it is still possible to receive a solar feed-in tariff if you install solar panels on your house in Tasmania. A solar feed-in tariff will allow you to sell the excess electricity generated by your solar panels back to the grid. The specific details and rates of the feed-in tariff you could receive vary depending on the energy retailer you are connected to and the specific plan you choose.
Yes – discounts are commonly offered by energy providers in Tasmania. These discounts can include sign-up bonuses, pay-on-time discounts or direct debit discounts, providing incentives for timely bill payments. By taking advantage of these discounts, you can reduce your overall energy costs and potentially save money on your bills.
Yes – Energy Locals offer 100% carbon neutral plans in Tasmania, with the choice of adding on additional GreenPower options to the plan as well. You can choose the percentage of GreenPower renewable energy you wish to fund, with an additional tariff applicable if you wish to add GreenPower to your plan.
Some energy providers in Tasmania offer bundle deals where you can combine your energy plan with other services like internet or home phone. Bundling can provide convenience and potentially save you money by taking advantage of discounted rates for multiple services. When comparing energy plans, check if there are bundle options available and consider the overall cost, benefits, and terms associated with the bundled services.
Yes – but you may have to pay an early exit fee or penalty for breaking the terms of your contract. Assess the cost implications and consider contacting your energy provider to discuss your options if you wish to make a switch while you’re still under a contract.
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Disclaimer:
Savvy is partnered with Econnex Comparison (CIMET Sales Pty Ltd, ABN 72 620 395 726) to provide readers with a variety of energy plans to compare. We do not compare all retailers in the market, or all plans offered by all retailers. Savvy earns a commission from Econnex each time a customer buys an energy plan via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased directly, as all purchases are conducted via Econnex.
Any advice presented above is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an energy plan. For further information on the variety of energy plans compared by Econnex, or how their business works, you can visit their website.
