ActewAGL

Who are ActewAGL?

While the name ActewAGL may be relatively new, ActewAGL’s past with the ACT’s electricity supply goes much further back. The job of keeping the lights on in Canberra and the surrounding areas was passed around a bit for the first few decades of the 20th century but it eventually landed with the ACT Electricity Authority (ACTEA) in 1963. It was here the seeds of ActewAGL were sown.^{1ActewAGL – 100 years of energy} Over the years, ACTEA became the Australian Capital Territory Electricity and Water (ACTEW) corporation, adding a few more strings to their bow in terms of essential services. Then, in the new millennium, ACTEW partnered with AGL for a joint venture: ActewAGL. ActewAGL and their predecessors have played their part to make Canberra and the ACT the place you know and love with Energy Plans, local employment and community partnerships.^{2ActewAGL – About us}

What makes ActewAGL special?

Looking for a new Energy Provider can be like trying to make a new friend. Are they right for you? Do they have characteristics that you like? Do they want to play Dungeons & Dragons with you? That last one probably doesn’t apply to ActewAGL, but they do have a ton to offer as an Energy Provider. Let’s take a look:

Pay your way

ActewAGL knows your money is yours to do with as you wish. So, they let you choose how you want to pay, whether you choose direct debit, BPay or a credit card.^{3ActewAGL – Ways to pay your bill} But get this — they also know that life can throw you curveballs. That’s why they’ve got the Staying Connected program. It’s like having a personal support team when you hit a tricky patch paying those energy bills. They’ll help you figure out payment plans, get you rebates or concessions if you’re eligible, and give you energy-saving tips, all while working to keep the lights on in your home.^{4ActewAGL – ActewAGL’s Financial Hardship Policy, p5}  

Manage your account like a boss with My.ActewAGL

If you’ve got your trusty smartphone or laptop, then that’s all you need to stay on top of your account. With a few taps or swipes, you can handle your bills like a pro using ActewAGL’s self-service platform My.ActewAGL. Through this online portal, you can also keep an eye on your energy use and even organise your energy supply to move with you if it’s time to pull up stumps and call somewhere else in the ACT home. No need to wait on a call – you’re in control with My.ActewAGL.^{5ActewAGL – Contact us}

Turn the grid green

ActewAGL commits to environmental innovation through various programs and initiatives. This includes Greenchoice which lets you opt to put government-accredited green energy into the electricity grid by paying a little bit more on your electricity bill. You can choose pricing that works for you, whether it’s a set cost or percentage per day. If you’re feeling particularly keen, you can even go so far as to put double the amount of energy you consumed back into the grid as green power.^{6ActewAGL – Greenchoice}

Power your car and more without petrol

If you’re into electric wheels and are cruising around the ACT, ActewAGL can keep you on the move with four Rapid Chargers and four Fast Chargers sprinkled across the ACT. Even better, these charging stations are open for business to every electric vehicle on the road.^{7ActewAGL – Charging network map}

In more green car news, ActewAGL also completed a pioneering vehicle-to-grid (V2G) trial with other industry names in early 2023, funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. This research helped to reveal that EVs aren’t just for driving — they can also be used to store electricity and put it back into the grid when demand is high. Turns out that as we transition to more renewables and net zero emissions, EVs will play their part in making this change a smoother ride.^{8ActewAGL – REVS program complete – unlocking the future potential of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) services in Australia}

Keep the ACT ace

Besides all the electricity and gas jazz, ActewAGL are all about community. They offer grants to local groups, not-for-profits and charities annually to help get projects up and running in the ACT, particularly those that focus on innovation, environmental sustainability, the at-risk and disadvantaged, and community engagement.^{9ActewAGL – Community Grants Program} Plus, they partner with a range of organisations that help make the ACT the place it is, whether it’s through sport, culture or empowerment.^{10ActewAGL – Powerhouse Partners}

Where is ActewAGL available?

ActewAGL serves the ACT with electricity and natural gas. If you live in the south-east of NSW, like Queanbeyan, Goulburn and along the South Coast, you can also choose to go with ActewAGL.^{11ActewAGL – About us}

What plans does ActewAGL offer?

Here’s a taste of what ActewAGL has to offer when it comes to market residential Electricity and Gas Plans:^{12ActewAGL – ACT residential prices}

• Simple Saver: If you have a single rate meter or single rate meter with controlled load, the Simple Saver could be for you. You can choose the Simple Saver plan as an Electricity or Gas Plan.
• Direct Saver: Offering a little more flexibility in your tariff options, the Direct Saver could be a winner for you, while still delivering great value. The Direct Saver plan is available for electricity and gas.

Just keep in mind that these plans may not always be available where you live, but you may have other ActewAGL options to choose from.

For business owners after an Electricity Plan, ActewAGL has standing contracts with prices regulated by the ACT Government or Australian Energy Regulator (AER) if you’re living in NSW. On the gas front, you may also be able to get your hands on a Gas Plan that comes with discounts so you can spend your profits on growing your business rather than keeping the place warm.^{13ActewAGL – ACT business prices, 14ActewAGL – NSW business prices} Remember though, like with residential plans, what’s available can depend on where you are and ActewAGL may even have some other options for you too.

How much does ActewAGL cost?

While your gas or electricity bill will depend on your plan, your usage and even what network you’re on, you may be able to get a rough idea of what to expect with the following price estimates.

The ACT electricity prices below are for a household using 6,100 kWh in a year.^{15ActewAGL – ACT Standard plan electricity prices, p8}  For NSW, the estimated prices are broken down into distributor networks, with Essential Energy places assumed to use 4,613 kWh per year, while Endeavour Energy properties are thought to use a little bit more at 4,913 kWh for the year.^{16ActewAGL – NSW residential prices} FYI: these are roughly the average amount of electricity houses in these locations use annually. The below table also only covers plans without controlled loads.^{17ActewAGL – ACT residential prices, 18ActewAGL – NSW residential prices} All prices are correct as of November 2023.

For businesses, assuming you’re using about 10,000 kWh a year, your ActewAGL electricity bill could be between $4,180 and $5,761, depending on your actual usage, your plan and rates, and where you’re based.^{19ActewAGL – ACT business prices, 20ActewAGL – NSW business prices}

Your gas bill, like electricity, will depend on your usage and location. The estimates below assume you’re on a standard Gas Plan from ActewAGL and using 40 megajoules (MJ) a day.²¹ActewAGL – ACT Standard plan natural gas prices, p2 ^{, 22ActewAGL – NSW Standard plan natural gas prices, p2–3}

For a more personalised energy bill estimate, you can look at the individual rates and thresholds via the ActewAGL website and calculate them against your own gas and electricity usage. Alternatively, you can use iSelect’s online comparison tool to see estimates of your bills on a selection of ActewAGL plans and options from other Energy Providers, or call us on 13 19 20 for one of our friendly consultants to take you through the process.

What solar options does ActewAGL offer?

Along with green initiatives like Greenchoice and backing EVs, ActewAGL also has Electricity Plan options for you if you’re eager to make the most of your solar system.

Solar Saver

What’s better than generating your own electricity for free? Getting paid for the leftovers! The Solar Saver plan offers a feed-in rate of 15 cents per kWh for the first 15 kWh of each day, then 11 cents for every kWh after.^{23ActewAGL – ACT residential prices} So when your solar panels are working overtime, and you’re generating more electricity than you can use, you can send that extra power back to the grid. It’s a sweet feeling being environmentally friendly and wallet friendly all at once.

Battery Saver

The Battery Saver plan takes your solar game to the next level. If you’ve got solar panels and an eligible battery system, you may be able to be a part of ActewAGL’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP). The VPP is a network of residential solar and battery systems connected via smart technology, and it’s a serious game-changer. When electricity is scarce but demand is high, your battery could help put green energy into the grid to power local homes. Plus, similar to the Solar Saver plan, you get a feed-in tariff to sell excess electricity.^{24ActewAGL – Battery Saver}

Where can I compare Energy Plans?

Whether you want to compare a selection of ActewAGL plans or see what else is on offer, we’re your Energy Plan matchmakers. From looking for a great-value deal, eco-friendly options or something more suitable for your needs, our handy comparison tool is an easy and super-convenient way to compare a range of Energy Plans from our range of different Energy Retailers. Or, if you want to chat through your options, you can always call us on 13 19 20.