In every industry, there are usually a few players who dominate a local market. Think of companies like Adidas and Nike in the sports apparel world, or Anaconda and BCF in Australia’s outdoor lifestyle space. Well, it’s a similar situation with energy, and in south-east Queensland, bill-payers are turning to three major electricity providers to power their homes, despite a number of smaller retailers also entering the race.
Since 2007, Queenslanders in the southern corner of the state have been able to take full advantage of retail competition, meaning customers are free to choose their own provider. While competition is great to see, more than half of QLD residents still rely on household names like Origin Energy and AGL, with Alinta Energy also making a surge in recent years.
So, if you want to know what the big energy providers have to offer in the Sunshine State, then you’re in the right place. Plus, we’ll also show you what other companies are competing for your business, as well as list helpful information to see how they compare to the big guys.
On this page:
- Who are the largest energy providers in QLD?
- What makes the Sunshine State different to other states?
- Biggest energy providers by market share in QLD
- Are QLD customers satisfied with their power company?
- Compare Electricity Prices in QLD
- Who are the largest gas suppliers in QLD?
- What about small business energy in QLD
- Should Queenslanders turn to the big providers for a good deal?
Who are the largest energy providers in QLD?
The biggest electricity companies in south-east Queensland are Origin Energy, AGL and Alinta Energy, who represent about 58.5 per cent of the residential market. The next largest electricity providers are EnergyAustralia and Red Energy, accounting for a combined 6.1 per cent of the market.
We’ve listed plan details from the Queensland’s biggest three providers below. Make sure you click on the ‘QLD’ tab to see prices available in your state.
Origin Energy
Aside from being the largest electricity company in south-east Queensland, Origin Energy also remains the biggest in Australia. With a portfolio of more than 580,000 customers, Origin accounts for nearly one third of the region’s market share. In QLD, Origin usually offers four or five plans, which all come with different features to suit a variety of households.
Origin Energy Prices NSW
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for NSW. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/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.
Origin Energy Prices VIC
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for Victoria. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/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.
Origin Energy Prices QLD
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for SE QLD. 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 4613kWh/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.
Origin Energy Prices SA
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for South Australia. These are products 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.
AGL
AGL trails behind Origin as QLD’s second biggest electricity provider, servicing almost 397,000 customers. While AGL represents around 18 per cent of the market, the retailer has appealing drawcards, such as its exclusive rewards program. AGL generally offers two plans in QLD, both with variable rates.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for NSW. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/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.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for Victoria. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/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.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for SE QLD. 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 4613kWh/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.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for South Australia. These are products 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.
Alinta Energy
Climbing up the ranks in recent years is Alinta Energy, making it the third largest electricity retailer in QLD. Alinta Energy’s portfolio encompasses almost 200,000 customers, which is quite a feat given it is relatively new compared to the likes of Origin, AGL and EnergyAustralia. In SEQ, Alinta customers can choose between two plans, one with low variable rates or a deal with an entertainment bundle attached.
Here are the Alinta Energy plans on our database for NSW. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/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.
Here are the Alinta Energy plans on our database for VIC. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/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.
Here are the Alinta 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 4613kWh/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.
Here are the Alinta Energy plans on our database for South Australia. These are products 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 makes the Sunshine State different to other states?
Firstly, Queensland is broken up into two separate energy markets, meaning that customers who live in the south-east area are free to choose their retailer, while those in regional QLD have to settle with government regulated pricing. This is a result of the south-east market being deregulated back in 2007, which paved the way for energy retailers to set their own plans and prices.
While other states also have more than one distribution area, Queensland is the only state where part of it has full retail competition, while the remaining portion is controlled by the Government-owned retailer, in this case Ergon Energy.
Biggest energy providers by market share in QLD
Here is a list of electricity retailers and their residential market share in south-east Queensland on the Energex network:
- Origin: 27.5%
- AGL: 18.7%
- Alinta Energy: 9.6%
- EnergyAustralia: 4.5%
- Red Energy: 2.3%
- Locality Planning Energy: 1.1%
- Nectr: 0.7
- Dodo: 0.6%
- Simply Energy: 0.6%
- Powershop: 0.5%
- Powerdirect: 0.5%
- Sumo: 0.4%
- Diamond Energy: 0.2%
- 1st Energy: 0.1%
- Energy Locals: 0.1%
- QEnergy: 0.1%
- ReAmped Energy: 0.1%
The above figures have been sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) Retail Energy Market Performance Update for Quarter 4, 2021-22.
Are QLD customers satisfied with their power company?
In our latest annual review of QLD energy providers, we asked more than 1,300 Queenslanders a bunch of questions to better understand what’s important to them. Here’s what we found:
- 23% chose a provider based on brand recognition
- 48% believe they’re getting a good energy deal
- 25% shopped around and compared offers when the default price was introduced
Compare Electricity Prices in QLD
So, how do Origin, AGL and Alinta Energy compare to other power companies in south-east Queensland? The prices below are based on a set of specific assumptions, which is why it’s best to use our energy comparison tool for an accurate quote in your area.
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 4613kWh/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 4613kWh/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 4613kWh/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 4613kWh/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.
Who are the largest gas suppliers in QLD?
The natural gas market in Queensland is nowhere near as competitive as electricity, with only a few suppliers to choose from. The top three of these companies are Origin, with 47 per cent of residential market share, AGL at 40.6 per cent and Alinta Energy with 4.8 per cent. It’s worth pointing out that Queenslanders don’t rely on natural gas as opposed to other states, like NSW and Victoria, which may indicate why there’s a shortage of competition.
What about small business energy in QLD?
Again, Origin Energy proves to be a juggernaut with small businesses customers, accounting for 22.7 per cent of the electricity market share. Trailing behind is AGL (12.1%), then Alinta (4.8%), EnergyAustralia (4.5%), QEnergy (2%) and Powerdirect (1.1%). Small businesses also pick Origin as their preferred natural gas supplier, representing a behemoth 80.3 per cent, with AGL dawdling behind on 15.1 per cent.
Should Queenslanders turn to the big providers for a good deal?
Origin, AGL and Alinta Energy remain clear favourites in QLD, and it’s safe to say that these big players are doing something right. But with more than 20+ companies tossing their hat into the ring, can Queenslanders find a better deal elsewhere? The short answer is yes; however, it will ultimately come down to individual requirements and energy usage needs.
If a familiar face is what you’re looking for with your power bills, then choosing a big provider may be a great move, as they often have a larger spread of deals than smaller companies. But if you’re not fussed about who’s looking after your account (all energy supply comes from the same place), then a lesser known brand may have a suitable deal for you. With the world at your fingertips, why not jump into our comparison tool below and review multiple energy providers in your area? Get started now.
Image credits: Darren Tierney/Shutterstock.com, stockish/Shutterstock.com, mavo/Shutterstock.com
Original Author: Jared Mullane
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