Cheapest electricity prices in Adelaide, SA

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To help South Australians find a cheaper plan, Canstar Blue has compared costs from some of the cheapest electricity providers in SA to show what you can expect to pay with each of them.

South Australians experience some of the highest electricity prices in the country, which is why it’s important to compare energy plans and get the cheapest deal possible. This means understanding electricity discounts and how they impact your overall costs.

It’s important to note that if you haven’t switched electricity providers in the last couple of years, then you are almost certainly on a basic energy plan and likely paying more than you need to. This is because new customers can benefit from generous electricity discounts that have short benefit periods of just 12 months. After this time, you will start paying the higher rate, meaning that to get the best deals, you need to be willing to switch every year or two, otherwise you’ll end up paying the ‘lazy tax’.

Our price calculations are based on a specific postcode in Adelaide. To get a quote for your suburb, use Canstar Blue’s comparison tool here. Our database may not cover all deals available in your area, so please check electricity retailer websites for current information.

The pricing shown below is based on the SA Power network in Adelaide, South Australia.

Compare the cheapest electricity plans in Adelaide, SA

It is always a good idea to keep informed on other electricity providers and the current deals on the market.

• SA Sponsored Plans
• SA Plans

Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from our referral partners†. 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 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.

Sponsored Products

Based on the general usage^ in the SA Power network the AER reference price is: $2,230 / year

Residential Netflix Plan Basic Plan Information $100 electricity credit when you join online. Get $96 RRP of Netflix value included each year with the AGL Netflix Plan. T&C’s Apply.

6% Less than reference price

$2,036 Price/year (estimated)

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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 SA Power network in Adelaide 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 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.

What is the cheapest electricity provider in Adelaide, SA?

According to our database, OVO Energy, Momentum Energy and Energy Locals currently offer the cheapest energy plans in South Australia. To see what you can expect to pay from these electricity retailers, we’ve listed the cheapest plans below. Please note, these prices are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide with a general energy usage assumption of 4000kWh/year. In instances where one provider may have multiple cheap offers, we show only one product with the lowest price estimate first. The reference price for this area is currently $2,230/year. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area.

The Free 3 Plan (OVO Energy)

Here is OVO Energy’s plan on our database for South Australia. 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 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.

Nothing Fancy Electricity (Momentum Energy)

Here is Momentum 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 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.

Home Classic (Energy Locals)

Here is Energy Locals’ 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 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.

Best-Rated Electricity Providers SA

More of the cheapest electricity plans in Adelaide, SA

What if you’re looking for a specific product type? Here are the cheapest plans in our database for customers looking for a specific product type, including plans from the big three retailers, 0% discount plans, discounted plans, variable rate and fixed rate plans. The categories below are in no particular order.

Cheapest Electricity Plan (Big 3 Provider) – Origin, Origin Go Variable

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 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.

Cheapest Electricity Plan (No Discount) – GloBird Energy, Boost Residential

Here is GloBird Energy’s plan on our database for South Australia. 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 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.

Cheapest Electricity Plan (Discounted) – GloBird Energy, GloSave Residential

Here is GloBird 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 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.

Cheapest Electricity Plan (Variable Rates) – GloBird Energy, GloSave Residential

Here is GloBird 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 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.

Cheapest Electricity Plan (Fixed Rates) – EnergyAustralia, Rate Fix Plan

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 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.

What about energy discounts in South Australia?

Energy discounts were once the main marketing tool of the energy retailers, but following regulatory changes to the industry in July 2019, most have moved away from discounts. They now focus on providing cheaper base rates instead, as well as other incentives like bill credits. However, some energy retailers still offer market discounts, which will typically now apply to both usage and supply charges. Discounts are generally available for paying bills on time or by direct debit. Some electricity providers will give you money off if you agree to receive bills via email instead of post. However, be aware that failing to meet the terms of your discount will not only mean you could lose the benefit, but you could also be charged a fee. Therefore, customers who struggle to pay their bills on time may find better value from electricity plans with the lowest base pricing.

When looking at energy discounts, be aware of the benefit term. Locking in a good discount for a couple of years represents a good deal. But no matter how long the benefit period, make sure you pay attention to when it disappears because it may not return and you’ll be left paying more.

Other incentives

Be conscious of sign-up incentives. It’s common for the energy companies to offer a rebate on your first bill when you sign up online, for example. Others have rewards programs whereby customers can get money off things like movie tickets. Engie (formerly Simply Energy) typically has a plan that brings discounts for members of a certain motoring club while Lumo Energy has a program that brings discounts at various shopping and dining locations. While fairly attractive, it’s probably best not to let these incentives dictate your final decision, but they can be a good point of difference if you find two similar plans.

• Expert Picks: Best Value Energy Plans in SA

Tiered electricity pricing in South Australia

In South Australia, most electricity providers structure their plans with tiered pricing. This means you will be charged for electricity at different rates depending on how much you have used throughout the day. For example, you will typically pay lower prices for the first ‘block’ of electricity you use, but then a slightly higher rate for each next block. Our cost comparison has taken these block rates into account. While some providers only have two tiers of electricity pricing, others have as many as five.

Tiered pricing is another important consideration when comparing prices, so get to know your household’s specific electricity requirements, because the cheapest plan for you may be different to the cheapest plan for another household with higher or lower energy requirements. You can learn more about block rate pricing in our review of South Australia electricity tariffs.

What is the cheapest electricity supplier with the highest rating in Adelaide, SA?

Electricity rates in South Australia often change, and this means annual energy bills can vary by hundreds of dollars depending on the specific rates you pay. Based on the winner of our electricity customer satisfaction ratings, here is an example of rates found in SA.

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Questions you should ask before signing up to an electricity plan

It’s important to regularly review your electricity plan to ensure you’re getting the best possible deal. The reality is that it takes effort to get the best energy deals and that’s what you might need to do. Here are some questions to consider and potentially ask when comparing electricity prices in South Australia.

• Are you offering me the plan with the lowest usage rates?
• How much are the supply charges and how do they compare to other plans?
• How does the plan compare to the reference price?
• Is there a contract? How long is it? Are there any exit fees if I leave?
• What discount can I get off my bill and how do I quality for the discount?
• What is the benefit term of the discount? Will it disappear after a year?
• Can you offer me any additional sign-up incentives?

Ultimately, you should try to get to know your energy plans. No one is going to come round your house and offer to take $200 off your annual bill. Be proactive, compare plans and consider switching if you think you can find a better deal.

Which energy providers are rated highest in South Australia?

It’s natural that consumers will be drawn towards the cheapest electricity prices in South Australia, but it’s also worth considering other factors, particularly customer service. That’s why Canstar Blue produces an annual review of electricity providers in SA, to see which are actually meeting customer expectations. Lumo Energy has been rated best overall in this year’s ratings.

South Australians are paying a high price for electricity, but you can help reduce costs by ensuring you are getting a good deal. Compare plans from other providers and make the most informed decision you can. We hope this price comparison proves helpful, because if there is one message to take away from this, it’s that shopping around is hugely important.

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Original reporting by Jared Mullane
Image Source: myphotobank.com.au/Shutterstock