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Expert Picks: Best Value Energy Plans SA (March 2024)

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This page aims to help you scan through a range of the best electricity plans currently on our database from energy providers in SA. Each month, our dedicated energy experts will update this information to keep you ahead of the game.

If you’re wondering about how we quantify the ‘best’ deals in market, we’re happy to share our insights. We determine our best value plans by applying our expert methodology, which analyses various components of a plan, such as price, features, customer service and billing options. This analysis then ranks each plan with a Value Score out of 10.

We don’t want to brag but our expert research team have perfected this methodology, so you can have absolute confidence when comparing deals. So, here you go; the best value plans on our database for South Australia, including the best offers from the ‘big three’ energy retailers. Click on the links below to skip ahead to your preferred plan type.

Best Energy Plans SA March 2024

  1. Overall Best Value Plan: Pacific Blue, Blue First
  2. Best Value Fixed Rate Plan: EnergyAustralia, Rate Fix Plan
  3. Best Value Variable Rate Plan: Pacific Blue, Blue First
  4. Best Value Plan with Entertainment: Kogan Energy, Kogan Energy with free First
  5. Best Value Plan with No Discount Conditions: Pacific Blue, Blue First
  6. Best Value AGL Plan: Value Saver
  7. Best Value Origin Plan: Go Variable
  8. Best Value EnergyAustralia Plan: Flexi Plan

The pricing shown below is based on the SA Power network in Adelaide, South Australia. This serves as a helpful guide but we’d recommend using our comparison tool for an accurate quote in your area.

Overall Best Value Plan, Pacific Blue [Blue First]

Value score: 9.2

Here is Pacific Blue’s plan on our database for South Australia. This product is from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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.

What’s good about the plan:

  • No contract term
  • Monthly billing options
  • Competitive rates

What to look out for:

  • Direct debit and eBilling required
  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • No solar feed-in tariff

Best Value Fixed Rate Plan, EnergyAustralia [Rate Fix Plan]

Value score: 8.0

Here is EnergyAustralia’s plan on our database for South Australia. This product is from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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.

What’s good about the plan:

  • Energy rates that are locked in for 12 months
  • Guaranteed discount
  • GreenPower available

What to look out for: 

  • Move-in fees may apply
  • Disconnection fees may apply
  • Rates may change after the 12-month benefit period

Best Value Variable Rate Plan, Pacific Blue [Blue First]

Value score: 9.2

Here is Pacific Blue’s plan on our database for South Australia. This product is from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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.

What’s good about the plan:

  • No contract term
  • Monthly billing options
  • Competitive rates

What to look out for:

  • Direct debit and eBilling required
  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • No solar feed-in tariff

Best Value Plan with Entertainment, Kogan Energy [Kogan Energy with free First]

Value score: 8.4

Here is Kogan Energy’s plan on our database for South Australia. This product is from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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.

What’s good about the plan:

  • Free 12-month Kogan First membership
  • Monthly billing
  • No exit fees

What to look out for:

  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • Disconnection and connection fees may apply
  • Offer not available to current Kogan First members

Best Value Plan with No Discount Conditions, Pacific Blue [Blue First]

Value score: 9.2

Here is Pacific Blue’s plan on our database for South Australia. This product is from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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.

What’s good about the plan:

  • No contract term
  • Monthly billing options
  • Competitive rates

What to look out for:

  • Direct debit and eBilling required
  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • No solar feed-in tariff

Best Value AGL Plan [Value Saver]

Value score: 8.4

Here is AGL’s plan on our database for South Australia. This product is from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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.

What’s good about the plan:

  • Competitive base rates
  • Monthly billing options
  • GreenPower add-on options available

What to look out for:

  • Energy rates are variable and may change over time
  • Credit card fees may apply
  • Connection and disconnection fees may apply

Best Value Origin Plan [Go Variable]

Value score: 8.4

Here is Origin’s plan on our database for South Australia. This product is from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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.

What’s good about the plan:

  • $200 bill credit for customers who stay connected beyond 1 July, 2024
  • Monthly billing options available
  • GreenPower and carbon offset add-on options available

What to look out for:

  • Credit card fees may apply
  • 12-month benefit period
  • Rates are variable and may change at any time

Best Value EnergyAustralia Plan [Flexi Plan]

Value score: 8.4

Here is EnergyAustralia’s plan on our database for South Australia. This product is from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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.

What’s good about the plan:

  • Guaranteed discount on whole bill
  • GreenPower add-on options available
  • Paper billing available

What to look out for:

  • Energy rates are variable and may change
  • Some credit card payment charges may apply
  • 12-month discount benefit period

 

More Expert picks plans, courtesy of our Value Rank formula

 

How to find a great electricity deal in SA

what to look for in an energy plan inforgraphic

  1. Usage rates: Lower usage rates that cover the cost of using electricity (per kWh) and gas (per MJ)
  2. Supply charges: Competitive fixed daily fees for supplying your home with electricity or gas
  3. Discounts: Conditional or guaranteed discounts off your bills can help save on annual energy costs
  4. Bill credits: Like a discount but offers a credit off your bill, either as a standalone amount or ongoing
  5. Sign-up incentives: Access to rewards programs, frequent flyer points or entertainment services
  6. Fixed rates: Some plans comes with energy rates locked in for a set period meaning no rate rises
  7. Variable rates: Look out for low variable rates on plans but keep in mind they can change over time
  8. Customer service: Compare call centre hours and satisfaction ratings of energy providers
  9. Online tools and support: Does the company have an app and can you access your account online?

Our Value Score & Methodology Explained

Canstar Blue Value Score Rank 8.9
Canstar Blue Energy Comparison Value Score

We understand that identifying the ‘best value’ energy plans in SA sounds subjective, however that’s where our expert methodology comes into play. Besides price being a major influence, our ‘Value Score’ also includes other components of a deal, like features, value-adds and customer rewards.

Each plan is rated with a Value Score ranging from one to 10, which contains a Price Score and Features Score. Here are the factors that are considered:

Feature Score:

  • Billing & Payments
  • Customer Service & Support
  • Plan Flexibility

Price Score:

  • The estimated lowest price a representative customer would be charged in a year for this plan, assuming all conditions offered (if any) have been met, based on the AER’s model annual usage in the distribution region as shown at the top of each table. If you have provided usage data from your electricity bill, the estimated annual amount payable for this plan will be based on your individual circumstances
  • The Price score includes applicable discounts assuming all conditions have been met
  • The Price score may factor in the Reference Price where you have not provided usage data from your electricity bill

Canstar Blue considers plan features most relevant to customers in the calculation of Value Score. However, not every feature is included in the Value Score, nor every feature that is relevant to you. To gain a better understanding of how our Value Score works, view our methodology here.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How we choose the best value plans

  1. Overall Best Value Plan: This plan is determined by what’s currently our top performing energy plan sorted by Value Score.
  2. Best Value Fixed Rate Plan: Our best-ranked plan as determined by our Value Score with fixed rates, meaning energy prices don’t change during the agreed period.
  3. Best Value Variable Rate Plan: The best value plan with energy rates that are variable, meaning prices are not fixed and are subject to change.
  4. Best Value Plan with Entertainment: This is an energy plan with the highest Value Score, which includes an additional entertainment feature or subscription.
  5. Best Value Plan with No Discount Conditions: Our best value plan which has no conditional discounts, bill credits or similar. For example, it doesn’t require payment by direct debit or similar.
  6. Best Value AGL Plan: The best value plan from AGL based on our Value Score.
  7. Best Value Origin Plan: The best value plan from Origin based on our Value Score.
  8. Best Value EnergyAustralia Plan: The best value plan from EnergyAustralia based on our Value Score.

In the event that two or more plans have the same value score in any given category, the cheapest option will be featured.

Tara Donnelly
Utilities Editor
Tara Donnelly is an internet and mobile expert - sectors she’s spent a decade covering - and also oversees energy and consumer technology content. She holds a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canberra and has shared her expertise on national media including 9 News, 7 News, Sunrise and the ABC.

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