Regional Queenslanders to get cut to power bills with new set prices

Households and businesses in regional Queensland should see cuts in their electricity bills of up to $140 a year with a new pricing recommended today.

REGIONAL Queenslanders will get a cut to their power bills with new set prices recommended today.

The average household customer should see a $62 saving on their annual bill and small businesses should bank a saving of $144.

Queensland Competition Authority, which sets regional prices, released its final determination on regulated retail electricity prices for 2019-20 today.

“The notified prices in our final determination should see many residential and small business customers in regional Queensland paying less for their electricity,” QCA Chair Professor Flavio Menezes said.

He said an expected surge in renewable energy entering the National Electricity Market in 2019-20 was behind the decision.

“This expectation has caused our overall estimate of energy costs to drop by approximately 10 per cent,” he said.

“Typical residential customers in regional Queensland will see a 4.4 per cent decrease in their annual electricity costs — or around $62 off their annual bill.

“For a typical customer on the main residential tariff (tariff 11), this means a bill of $1336 instead of $1398.

“Typical small business customers should see a decrease of 5.8 per cent in their annual electricity costs — or around $144 off their annual bill.

“For a typical small business customer on the main flat rate tariff (tariff 20), this means a bill of $2347 instead of $2491.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was good news for the second year.

“Electricity prices for regional Queenslanders are coming down,” she said.

“This is excellent news. It’s the second year in a row and I think every dollar counts.”

Originally published as Regional Queenslanders to get cut to power bills with new set prices