So just who is the cheapest electricity provider in Adelaide?
Let’s face it, working out the best deal on electricity is complicated. There are many different electricity companies and retailers offering a myriad of different rates, discounts and deals, so comparing them to find the cheapest electricity provider can be very difficult.
Asking – what is the “best” electricity provider in Adelaide? – is a question that doesn’t have a straightforward answer. First, you need to understand how electricity gets to your house, and the various charges that make up your bill.
After that, you will be better able to compare ‘apples to apples’ and unravel the difference in costs and charges in your quest to find the cheapest electricity supplier in Adelaide.
Getting electricity into your house to power your lights, hot water and appliances involves interconnected organisations such as the networks or distributors who manage the electricity grid in different geographic areas, and the power companies or retailers who provide your electricity and send you a bill each month.
Table of contents
- Understanding your electricity bill
- Who is the cheapest electricity provider in Adelaide?
- List of 10 Lowest Cost Electricity Providers in Adelaide
- What about discounts and deals?
- Adelaide summer & winter bill tips (peak vs time‑of‑use)
- Smart‑meter & TOU quick‑check (SA)
- EV owners: save with off‑peak charging
- Before you switch: 5‑point checklist
- Examples: which plan suits which home?
- FAQ
Understanding your electricity bill
What you pay month to month for your electricity is made up of various charges for service (or supply) and usage. Here’s an overview of the cost components of your monthly electricity bill:
Cost per kWh (usage)
This is generally the bulk of your electricity bill, and is the variable cost of the electricity you consume in your household. Known as the ‘tariff’, it is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
As a commodity, electricity is subject to the forces of supply and demand, and when more people are using electricity the cost is higher. ‘Peak’ usage is the most expensive kWh rate for electricity purchase, and typically applies from the afternoon to the evening.
In contrast, ‘off‑peak’ periods, generally from late evening to early morning, are the cheapest kWh rates. The cost difference between peak and off‑peak can be significant, so adjusting your electricity usage throughout the day and evening can make a real difference to your bill. There are also ‘shoulder’ periods in between peak and off‑peak that cost somewhere in between each of these.
Adelaide context: Hot summer afternoons (air‑conditioning) and cool winter evenings (heating) can push more usage into peak periods. If most of your consumption lands in peak, a flat tariff can be simpler. If you can shift laundry, dishwasher or heating/cooling pre‑conditioning to shoulder/off‑peak, a time‑of‑use (TOU) plan may lower your bill. For regulatory context, the Australian Energy Regulator sets a safety‑net reference price called the Default Market Offer (DMO) for SA — see the AER.
Controlled load (SA)
This is a line item on your electricity bill for a separately metered circuit that supplies specific high‑energy‑use appliances such as electric hot water systems. Controlled load rates are generally lower (comparable to off‑peak prices) and usually operate overnight or during set hours. Whether it saves you money depends on your appliance size and run times.
Supply charge
This is a fixed daily charge that you pay to be connected to the electricity grid. Commonly known as the ‘poles and wires’, this charge pays for the infrastructure of the electricity network and metering services.
The distributor charges your retailer for this service, and they pass it on to you via your bill as the supply charge. Within the same area, the network component is consistent; your final supply charge may still vary by plan. Therefore, the variable usage cost per kWh for different times of day will often be the main driver when you’re comparing plans in Adelaide.
A helpful walkthrough on comparing plans is here: Electricity comparison
Who is the cheapest electricity provider in Adelaide?
Electricity is an essential commodity and in Australia government agencies require transparent pricing. Because of this, they publish datasets that include current plan information across retailers. We use Australian Government pricing datasets (via the AER’s Energy Made Easy data) to power our live table and compile the list below for a typical Adelaide household.
For the purpose of this exercise, the information we input to the dataset was as follows:
Electricity plan
- Adelaide city 5000
- 2 to 3 person household
- No bill or meter data provided
- No controlled load
- No solar panels
- No pool
- No smart meter
- No current electricity retailer
The result is a range of estimated annual costs across available plans. It’s clearly worthwhile to compare, as the most expensive options can cost significantly more than the cheapest. Your exact outcome may differ when you enter your own details.
Find the best Solar Electricity Plan in your area now
Enter your post code: Electricity comparison
List of 10 Lowest Cost Electricity Providers in Adelaide
What about discounts and deals?
At any given time, because electricity retailing is a competitive business, there will be a number of deals and discounts in the market to entice new customers. When you are considering switching retailers to save money, you should check for available discounts and deals.
And if you haven’t compared energy plans in a while, discounts you had previously signed up for could have expired, and you may be on the Default Market Offer (DMO), which is a regulated reference price (safety net) set by the Australian Energy Regulator for SA. Market offers can be higher or lower than the DMO.
Adelaide summer & winter bill tips (peak vs time‑of‑use)
- Summer: late‑afternoon cooling can land in peak time; pre‑cooling in shoulder/off‑peak can help.
- Winter: evening heating often falls in peak; if you can pre‑heat or shift appliances, TOU may reduce total costs.
Smart‑meter & TOU quick‑check (SA)
- Check your bill or meter for interval/smart capability. TOU plans generally require an interval/smart meter. Confirm tariff type (flat vs TOU vs controlled load) on your bill and in the plan fact sheet before switching.
EV owners: save with off‑peak charging
Charging overnight on a TOU plan can materially lower running costs. See:
Before you switch: 5‑point checklist
- Confirm meter type (smart/interval) and tariff (flat/TOU/controlled load).
- Check plan fees/terms: exit, connection, late payment, dishonour, paper billing, card fees.
- If you have solar, weigh FiT + usage + daily charge together (not just the FiT).
- If renting or in a complex, confirm any site‑specific restrictions before switching.
- Re‑shop every 6–12 months; prices and discounts change often.
Examples: which plan suits which home?
- Inner‑city apartment (5000–5006): lower daily‑charge plans often suit lower usage; TOU helps only if you can shift washing/dishwasher to off‑peak.
- Detached home with ducted cooling & winter heating: consider lower usage‑rate plans, or TOU if you can pre‑cool/heat in shoulder/off‑peak and avoid evening peaks.
FAQ
Is electricity usually more expensive in summer or winter in Adelaide?
Both can increase costs—summer cooling and winter heating often land in peak times. If most use falls in peak, a flat tariff may suit; if you can shift usage, TOU can help.
What is the Default Market Offer (DMO) in SA?
The DMO is a safety‑net reference price set by the AER for standing offers in SA. Market offers can be higher or lower; our live table reflects current market offers against that context.
Do I need a smart meter for time‑of‑use in Adelaide?
Generally yes—TOU plans require an interval/smart meter. Check your bill for your meter type and confirm the plan fact sheet.
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