Catch Energy launches in Tasmania, marking the state’s third electricity retailer

Tasmanian energy consumers can no longer simply flip a coin when choosing which company to sell them electricity and gas, after a third retailer this week entered market.

Online retailer, Catch Group, which launched on the Australian mainland in March, said on Tuesday that it was now offering its energy services in the Tasmanian market, too.

Tasmania opened its electricity retail market to competition back in July 2014, but until this year was still monopolised by the state government-owned Aurora Energy.

The first competition arrived in April in the form of 1st Energy, a relatively new-comer to the mainland market, which has been operating in NSW, Victoria and Queensland since 2015.

Catch Energy now makes three, although in the company’s media statement on Tuesday, it notes that its “competitively priced electricity plans” are provided in partnership with 1st Energy.

Still, Catch claims it will offer Tasmanians “more choice and greater value,” and ease the financial pressure of soaring energy prices.

“Catch is a trusted brand and we are committed to offering unrivalled value to Australians,” said Nati Harpaz, CEO of Catch Group.

“We provide the same electricity through the same network, just at a lower price,” he said.

So far, there’s not much information out there about Catch to either corroborate that claim, or challenge it.

Still, it will be interesting to see how the newcomer does in such a small and still state dominated market as Tasmania’s.