Cheapest electricity providers in Adelaide, SA

Fact Checked

What is the cheapest electricity provider in Adelaide, SA?

Momentum Energy, Energy Locals and Origin Energy 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 (a comparison price based on the default market offer) for this area is currently $2,230/year. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area.

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)

Go to Site

View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue

*^View important information

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.

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 a specific product type, including plans from the big three retailers, 0% discount plans, discounted plans, variable rate and fixed rate plans.

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.

Go Variable (Origin Energy)

Here is Origin Energy’ 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) – Momentum Energy, Nothing Fancy Electricity

Here is Momentum 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) – Diamond Energy, Everyday Renewable Saver

Here is Diamond 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) – EnergyAustralia, Flexi 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.

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 are an attractive way to reduce your power bill, but there may be some conditions to be aware of.

Typically, conditional discounts, as their name implies, have certain preconditions to meet before entitling you to a discount. These preconditions are not limited to paying your bills on time and paying your bills with direct debit.

On rare occasions, retailers may generously offer a guaranteed energy discount with no preconditions to satisfy.

Sweeping industry changes have encouraged electricity retailers to shift towards cheaper base rates, as well as sign-up incentives for new customers.

Currently, energy plans with discounts are typically restricted to the first year or two upon signing up, with the savings applied to both usage and supply charges.

Supply charges refer to the daily charge for access to the power grid, while usage charges reflect the amount of electricity you use every day.

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.

Fixed vs variable rate plans

The majority of energy plans shown in this report are variable rate plans, which means your plan’s usage and supply charges may change. However, your retailer is legally obligated to inform you of any changes in writing before they take effect.

Conversely, fixed rate plans freeze supply and usage rates until their benefit period ends. This allows you to secure competitive usage and supply rates for your plan’s entire benefit period. However, fixed-rate plans are few and far between, with only a handful of retailers offering them.

Other incentives

It’s important to consider your plan’s tariff structure, which represents how you’re charged for your energy usage. The types of tariffs available in your area include:

• Single rate: You’re charged the exact same rate, regardless of the time of day.
• Demand: Lower rates than a single rate plan during ‘off-peak’ periods, but expect higher ‘demand’ pricing during peak usage periods.
• Controlled load: Power-hungry appliances are metered independently at a lower rate.

It’s also common to find sign-up point bonuses or rewards programs on offer.

For example, 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 various shopping and dining discounts.

These should not dictate your final decision, but they can be a helpful point of difference between competitive energy plans.

Tiered electricity pricing in South Australia

In South Australia, many 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 subsequent 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, because the cheapest plan for you may be different from the cheapest plan for a 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?

Lumo Energy is the winner of our electricity customer satisfaction ratings in 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.

Here is an example of the rates you can expect to find on Lumo Energy’s cheapest plan in Adelaide, SA.

← Mobile/tablet users, scroll sideways to view full table → 

Questions you should ask before signing up for 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.

Here are some questions to consider and potentially ask when comparing electricity prices in South Australia.

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

Ultimately, you should try to get to know your energy plans. 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?

Naturally, 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 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.

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.

Compare Electricity Providers in SA

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