October 24, 2017
The State Government will offer zero-interest loans to help people install solar and battery systems from March next year.
The government made the announcement on Tuesday as part of its $2 billion Affordable Energy Plan, which it unveiled on Monday.
The government will also axe Ergon’s “non-reversion” policy, removing a restriction on regional electricity customers going back to Ergon Energy and allowing those who have moved to another provider to return to Ergon and take up the new $75 Easy Pay Reward offer.
Easy Pay Reward will offer Ergon customers a $75 per year discount on their power bills for weekly, fortnightly or monthly direct debit payments.
The fresh initiatives were announced by Treasurer Curtis Pitt, who said they will enable more consumers to invest in new technologies that will cut their power bills.
Mr Pitt said the government was investing $40 million to remove barriers to regional Queenslanders switching retailers, and improve access to solar panels and household storage batteries.
“We recognise the desire of regional customers to have more choice of electricity retailers, so we will amend the current policy that prevents customers who switch away from Ergon Retail from returning.
“Removing the policy will give regional customers more choice and control over their energy bills, which is good news for electricity bill savings in regional areas.
“It will also free up customers to return to Ergon Retail to take up the $75 Easy Pay Reward.”
Mr Pitt said the government would also be offering no-interest loans to help those Queenslanders who don’t have access to the upfront capital required to invest in solar and battery technologies.
He said this would help reduce their bills and be part of a clean energy future.
“Solar panels and batteries are a great way for households and small businesses to cut their electricity bills, but for some the upfront cost can be a challenge,” the Treasurer said.
“It will also help in supporting to kick start the growth of the battery industry in Queensland.
“Queenslanders will be able to apply from March 2018, with savings of up to $700 per year expected for those who take up solar.”
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Good job Queensland government. Your amazing shortsighted preference for SEQ. You know there is a whole rest of the State? All with one power supplier and no room for competitors. You deregulated the industry in a blanket move. Now I have an unregulated Ergon with zero competition and no OTHER electrical retailer. Thanks for freeing up the legislation … they upped my kw/h rate the day after the market was OPENED up. Thanks for considering all Queensland. GAS?? Not in a bottle. I’ve only ever seen plumbed gas in Brisbane.