Energy Australia, Origin to slash electricity bills in western Sydney

Two electricity retailers are slashing prices for more than 100,000 customers. But an increase of $200 annually looms for another region.

Residential power prices in western Sydney, the Blue Mountains and parts of southern NSW are set to fall by more than $100 a year.

One of the largest electricity retailers, EnergyAustralia, is lopping nearly 5 per cent from average costs for about 100,000 household and business customers in the ‘Endeavour’ distribution area, which stretches from Parramatta to Katoomba and Kandos to Ulladulla.

That is a typical annual saving of $112 for residents and $294 for businesses. The cuts apply to any new contract.

The bill savings are partly due to reduced network costs. Picture: Supplied

Rival Origin Energy is lopping $78 a year from average household bills and $184 from business costs in the Endeavour zone. Those changes apply to most customers on a variable rate.

Energy Australia’s Mark Brownfield with energy-saving technologies. Picture: Adam Elwood

EnergyAustralia and Origin customers in other parts of the state can expect smaller savings because network charges in those areas have gone up, offsetting some of the drops in wholesale power prices.

But spare a thought for residents of the ACT, where EnergyAustralia bills are going to rise by $200 annually — because the territory is going 100 per cent renewable.

EnergyAustralia chief customer officer Mark Brownfield said “we urge any customer who might be struggling with their energy bills as a result of Covid-19 to reach out immediately.”

The other major retailer, AGL, was contacted for comment.