March 1, 2019
Ergon Energy power bills could drop by $58 – and $180 for small businesses – next year.
The independent Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) issued its draft determination for regional power prices this week.
Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the QCA was expecting prices to fall because more renewable energy was coming on line, making wholesale prices cheaper.
“That’s good news for regional households and small businesses,” Dr Lynham said.
“The QCA is forecasting that for a second year in a row household bills will decrease.
“The good news also extends to our business and industry, with annual bills for large businesses expected to decrease by about 14.2 per cent.”
However, there’s no joy for the rural sector with farming and irrigation tariffs remaining unchanged.
The QCA determines regional prices based on prices in the south-east Queensland market.
The State Government then subsidises regional electricity bills under its uniform tariff policy to ensure regional customers pay equivalent costs to south-east Queensland customers.
In 2018-19, this subsidy totalled almost $500 million.
