KEY POINTS
- The electricity distributor in regional Queensland is Ergon Energy, which also serves as the electricity supplier.
- The Ergon Energy network covers from regional areas such as Emerald and Roma, to far north areas like Mackay and Cairns.
- Electricity prices in regional QLD are regulated and subsidised by the QLD Government.
On this page:
- Regional Queensland electricity grid
- Can I choose my own electricity provider in regional QLD?
- How many electricity providers are there in regional QLD?
- What are electricity prices like in regional QLD?
- Are there any energy rebates or concessions available in regional QLD?
- Am I eligible for a solar feed-in tariff in regional QLD?
- Can I get natural gas in regional QLD?
- Compare SEQ energy plans
- More about electricity providers in regional QLD
Regional Queensland electricity grid
The electricity grid in Queensland is broken up into two distribution zones – the Energex network and the Ergon Energy network.
The Energex network is responsible for South East Queensland, while the Ergon Energy network essentially covers the rest, from regional areas such as Emerald and Roma, to far north areas like Mackay and Cairns.
Below are some of the major cities and towns that fall under the Ergon Energy network in regional QLD:
- Airlie Beach
- Ayr
- Biloela
- Bowen
- Bundaberg
- Cairns
- Charters Towers
- Clermont
- Emerald
- Gladstone
- Gracemere
- Gympie
- Hervey Bay
- Mackay
- Rockhampton
- Roma
- Toowoomba
- Townsville
- Yeppoon.
Can I choose my own electricity provider in regional QLD?
Most electricity customers in regional QLD do have the option to choose their own electricity provider. However, there is little competition for households to choose from.
This is because regional QLD is a ‘regulated’ price market, meaning that the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA), a regulatory body, sets the regulated electricity prices that are passed onto residential and business addresses in regional QLD. These prices are set once a year.
With all retailers required to offer the same rates for power, there is little incentive for new competitors to enter the regional market. On top of that, Ergon Energy, the dominating retailer in this area, receives additional financial support from the QLD Government to help cover its operating costs each year.
While other providers are able to supply regional QLD, many choose not to as it’s not cost-effective for them to do so. That being said, there are still some retailers that offer plans in parts of regional Queensland.
How many electricity providers are there in regional QLD?
There are currently only two active electricity providers for households in regional QLD – Ergon Energy and GloBird Energy. Origin Energy has announced that it will eventually offer some plans in parts of regional QLD.
Ergon Energy customers have the choice of a single rate (or tariff 11), time of use (tariff 12D and 12E), demand (tariff 14C), economy (tariff 31 and 33) or obsolete farming tariffs (tariff 62A, 65A and 66A) for their electricity. An obsolete tariff is a tariff that can’t be accessed by new customers.
Those interested in switching to GloBird Energy will only have the choice of a single rate standard plan.
Before the wholesale market mayhem experienced in June and July of 2022, households on the Ergon Energy network had as many as five retailers to choose from, including Mojo Power, QEnergy, Bright Spark Power and LPE.
Most of these retailers, however, have either ceased operations entirely or moved away from offering products in the residential electricity market.
If you were previously with any of the defunct retailers, you’ve likely been switched to a new retailer as part of the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) Retailer of Last Resort (RoLR) scheme.
What are electricity prices like in regional QLD?
Since electricity prices in regional QLD are regulated, you’ll be paying the same rates no matter the energy provider you choose.
Canstar Blue has listed the current regulated prices for regional QLD in 2025 below. These prices came into effect on July 1, 2025. Most customers are likely to be on Tariff 11 (single rate), but you’ll have to check your bill or contact Ergon Energy to make sure.
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| Tariff | Supply charge (c/day) | Peak usage rate (c/kWh) | Off-peak usage rate (c/kWh) | Shoulder usage rate (c/kWh) | Demand charge ($/kW/month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tariff 11 | $1.69 | N/A | $0.33 | N/A | N/A |
| Tariff 12D | $1.49 | $0.46 | $0.23 | $0.28 | N/A |
| Solar Soaker (12E) | $1.49 | $0.57 | $0.08 | $0.26 | N/A |
| Tariff 14C | $1.27 | $0.25 | $0.23 | $0.28 | $8.53 |
| Tariff 31 | No supply charge | N/A | $0.18 | N/A | N/A |
| Tariff 33 | No supply charge | N/A | $0.19 | N/A | N/A |
Source: ergon.com.au. Current as of July, 2025.
Are there any energy rebates or concessions available in regional QLD?
Through Ergon Energy, you can apply for a rebate to assist with the cost of power. The ‘Electricity Rebate’ can reach up to $386.34 per year (GST inclusive). This is only available to eligible card holders.
Additional rebates may also be applicable for households managing life support or kidney dialysis equipment or extended heating and cooling support for those with a chronic condition.
For more information, we recommend visiting Canstar Blue’s guide to energy concessions and rebates.
Am I eligible for a solar feed-in tariff in regional QLD?
Yes, solar customers in regional QLD may currently be eligible for a solar feed-in tariff (FiT) on their solar exports. To be eligible for this payment however, the solar system must be approved by the network business.
For 2024-25, the tariff offered was 12.377 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity exported at any time of day. However, for the year 2025-26, the FiT has changed to 8.6c/kWh. Households who had their system installed before July 10, 2012, may also still be eligible for the Solar Bonus Scheme, which is set at 44c/kWh. Please note that this scheme will end on July 1, 2028.
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Can I get natural gas in regional QLD?
Depending on your location, you may be able to connect to one of QLD’s two natural gas networks – the Australian Gas Networks or Allgas Energy.
The Australian Gas Networks covers north of the Brisbane River, Ipswich, Gladstone and Rockhampton, while Allgas Energy looks after the south of the Brisbane River, South Coast, Toowoomba and Oakley.
To see if you may be eligible for natural gas in your home, it’s best to visit either of the above networks’ websites and check the postcode search for your address.
Alternatively, you may be able to find an LPG supplier in your area.
Compare SEQ energy plans
If you live in regional QLD and want to compare your current rates with those of SEQ, check out the Canstar Blue comparison tool below.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision. The next three tabs feature products exclusively from AGL, EnergyAustralia and Origin.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for SEQ. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex energy network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the EnergyAustralia plans on our database for SEQ. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for SEQ. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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More about electricity in regional QLD
Residential customers in Toowoomba can sign up for electricity through Ergon Energy.
Residential customers in Townsville can sign up for electricity through Ergon Energy.
Residential customers in Cairns can sign up for electricity through Ergon Energy.
Residential customers in Hervey Bay can sign up for electricity through Ergon Energy.
Residential customers in Mackay can sign up for electricity through Ergon Energy.
Residential customers in Bundaberg can sign up for electricity through Ergon Energy.
Residential customers in Rockhampton can sign up for electricity through Ergon Energy.
Residential customers in Gympie can sign up for electricity through Ergon Energy.
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