ACT Electricity Plans 2026
The ACT has Australia's most ambitious renewable energy target — 100% renewable electricity by 2020, which it achieved. ActewAGL is the dominant retailer (a joint venture between the ACT government and AGL). Competition exists but uptake of alternative retailers is low. The ACT's real strength is solar incentives.
ActewAGL standing offer ~27c/kWh usage, ~88c/day supply. Last updated June 2026.
The ACT Market
ActewAGL serves roughly 180,000 electricity customers. Several alternative retailers compete — Origin, EnergyAustralia, Red Energy, and OVO Energy — but ActewAGL retains about 75% market share. Canberra's market is small but open. Switching is possible and relatively common among younger households. The electricity generation in the ACT is 100% renewable, sourced mostly from large-scale wind and solar farms.
ACT Rates
- Standing offer: ~27c/kWh usage, ~88c/day
- Market offers: 10-15% cheaper
- Typical annual bill: $1,500-1,800
- Mid-range nationally
ActewAGL Dominance
- ~75% market share for ActewAGL
- Standing offer is not competitive
- Switching uptake is low despite options
- Many households are on default plans
ACT Rates
ActewAGL's standing offer sits at about 27c/kWh usage and 88c/day supply. Market offers from competitors can be 10-15% cheaper. A typical Canberra household pays $1,500-1,800 per year. ACT electricity rates are mid-range nationally — higher than Tasmania and Victoria, lower than NSW and South Australia. The ACT's 100% renewable electricity target has been met, but it is worth noting that this does not make your bill cheaper; the renewable investment cost is factored into the retail price.
Solar in the ACT
The ACT has the best solar incentives in Australia. The Next Generation Energy Storage program offers up to $3,500 rebate for home batteries, on top of the federal STC rebate. ActewAGL's solar feed-in tariff is 8c/kWh. Canberra gets 5-6 peak sun hours. Solar payback is 4-6 years, but the battery rebate makes solar plus storage more attractive here than anywhere else in the country. The Sustainable Household Scheme also offers interest-free loans for solar installations.
Saving Tips
ActewAGL's standing offer is expensive. Even ActewAGL's own market plan is cheaper. Origin, EnergyAustralia, and Red Energy all offer plans in the ACT that may beat ActewAGL.
If you have gas heating, bundling with ActewAGL gives you a small discount of 2-3%. Not a huge saving, but it is easy to claim if you already use both.
The ACT's wood heater replacement program offers up to $1,250 to replace old wood heaters with efficient electric heating. This reduces both heating costs and air pollution in Canberra.
Eligible households in the ACT get $750 per year in energy concessions. Apply through Access Canberra if you hold a concession card.
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