Electricity prices

[Marty_d]

Looks like the power companies are changing their billing - increasing the fixed daily charges while dropping (in some cases) the kWh rate.

Wonder if this is driven by the uptake of home batteries - they're losing money from the supply of power so they're charging more to stay connected to the grid?

 

Australia politics live: energy minister asks regulator to investigate big jump in power companies’ supply fees https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/jun/24/australia-politics-live-war-memorial-tax-reform-greens-labor-deal-ndis-review-coalition-question-time-anthony-albanese-angus-taylor-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-24/why-power-bill-may-rise-despite-lower-default-market-offer/106830428

[nomadpete]

Not unexpected.

[nomadpete]

I hope someone points out that this will result in the public buying more solar panels? I'll make sure my surplus solar power covers the connection fee....

 

until I am confident I can disconnect. Then those companies will find they killed the goose.

[old man emu]

4 minutes ago, nomadpete said:

those companies will find they killed the goose.

But there are still a lot of goslings who must remain connected to grid.

[nomadpete]

Just now, old man emu said:

But there are still a lot of goslings who must remain connected to grid.

Unfortunately that is true.

But the ball is rolling, and so far this year, about 400,000 home batteries have been installed this year.

 

The whole system is changing. This transition is going to require some socialist support for those who are disadvantaged by the changes.

 

[Siso]

Pity industry will have trouble disconnevtibg to the grid. The more people that disconnect the harder it will be to compete. China are laughing there heads off i reckon

[octave]

10 minutes ago, Siso said:

Pity industry will have trouble disconnevtibg to the grid. The more people that disconnect the harder it will be to compete. China are laughing there heads off i reckon

A lot of industries are already exploring renewables and some are already off grid such as parts of the mining industry.  As solar and batteries get cheaper, it will be irrational for households to connect to the grid merely to support the grid for the benefit of industry.