Origin Energy will offer retail electricity to residential and small business customers in parts of regional Queensland, providing choice to customers previously limited to government-backed retailer Ergon.
Origin’s newly announced service area expands into the Ergon network, which covers much of Queensland, but will be focused on the network’s eastern region including Townsville, Cairns, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Mackay, Bundaberg and Maryborough.*
The expansion builds on Origin’s existing footprint in the state, which includes 690,000 electricity customer accounts and 175,000 natural gas customer accounts in the south-east, LPG and internet services across the whole of Queensland, and part of its customer support team in the capital of Brisbane.
“We’re excited to be extending our electricity offering into parts of regional Queensland and providing consumers in these areas with a choice of retailer – which for many has not been an option for a long period of time,” said Duncan Permezel, general manager of consumer and property retail at Origin.
“As one of Australia’s leading energy retailers, we’re focused on delivering useful products and services for Australians and providing them with choice.
“We already have strong connections in regional Queensland communities through our LPG and internet services and are thrilled to now be able to include a range of electricity plans, for both residential and small business customers.”
Queensland currently consists of two main electricity distribution operators, Energex, which operates in South East Queensland, and Ergon Energy, which operates in rural and regional Queensland and covers over 1 million square kilometres.
New South Wales distributor Essential Energy also holds an authority to operate in Queensland, with a supply network extending into Queensland near Goondiwindi. Origin Energy provides electricity as the retailer within Essential Energy’s distribution area.
Many regional Queenslanders have been almost wholly reliant on the government-subsidised retailer Ergon Retail, which naturally prevented any competition or customer choice.
With Origin Energy’s arrival in the Ergon network, consumers will finally have access to a choice of provider, and Origin is coming out of the gates hard with a range of offers to attract customers.
Residential customers may be eligible to receive a $50 bill credit, 5,000 Everyday Rewards points, or up to a $35 per month internet discount for bundling Origin’s electricity and internet services.
Similarly, eligible small business customers will be able to access the recently launched Origin Sunshine Special offer, which provides lower electricity rates during the day from 10am to 3pm.
At launch, however, Origin will not be offering electricity plans to customers with rooftop solar systems.
“Our electricity rates from day one will importantly be competitive with the incumbent retailer in regional Queensland. But we believe what makes us an attractive alternative is the value and benefits we can provide customers beyond their electricity,” said Permezel.
“This includes the ability to save money by bundling electricity and internet services, collecting Everyday Rewards points, or accessing discounts through our Origin Rewards program on petrol, movie tickets and with some of Australia’s leading retailers.”
Residential and small business customers can check if Origin services their location, compare plans, find out more about available offers, and sign up from today by visiting www.originenergy.com.au or calling us on 13 24 61.
*An earlier version of this article said the retail offer would be extended to parts of Mt Isa. Origin has since clarified that it can’t service customers in Mount Isa at this point in time, despite it being in the Ergon network. “We’re continuing to explore ways we can expand our range of services across regional Queensland,” a spokesperson says.
