Cost Reflective Tariffs

Cost Reflective Tariffs encourage people to move their electricity consumption from peak times to off-peak periods by adjusting the price charged at certain times each day.

This helps reduce the overall peak load and is referred to as load shifting, a common practice in many other places in Australia. Cost reflective tariffs better represent the cost to generate and provide power to customers during peak and off-peak periods.

Alice Solar City and our partner the Power and Water Corporation has instigated this trial to ascertain the potential for better management of the local electricity network and on reducing emissions. Up to 350 homes will be able to participate in the trial.

What does it involve?

As part of the package, your current power meter will be replaced with a Smart Meter. There is no charge for installation of the smart meter. However, in some houses where the meter box is not compliant with current standards, it may need upgrading before a smart meter can be installed. In such cases, it will be up to the householder to decide whether to proceed or not.

As soon as the Smart Meter is installed, you will move from the flat electricity tariff (currently 18.31 cents/kWh all day everyday) to the split tariffs (see table below).

If you have a smart meter and want to know more about how to read the display, take a look at this easy to use guide.

As part of the trial, householders can also opt to receive an interactive in-home display. This small, portable LCD display communicates with the Smart Meter and using the touch-screen householders will be able to see a graph of current energy consumption, CO₂ emissions and historical consumption data.

There is no upfront charge for the in-house display, however it remains the property of the Power and Water Corporation and must be returned at the conclusion of the householders involvement with the cost reflective tariff trial.

The residential tariff structure in Alice Springs is currently: 

Note: Each year there will be a CPI increase to the tariffs; this will usually take place on 1 July.

Why get involved in this trial?

By participating in this trial you will gain a better understanding of your electricity use at home and the opportunities to be more energy efficient (thanks to information provided in the in-house display). And if you are able to move aportion of your electricity consumption (like running the pool pump, washing, ironing etc) from peak times to off-peak times you could lower your electricity bill.

Will I be worse off financially?

No. A "no worse off safety net" is in place to ensure that households participating under the trial are not disadvantaged. Your bills will show you what you have been charged under the new tariffs, so you will be able to easily assess if you are worse off. If you find that your energy bills are higher under the cost-reflective tariff than they would have been under the standard domestic tariff, bring your bills into the Smart Living Centre and you will be credited the difference on your next bill. Residents may opt to move back to the standard tariff after 12 months.  Alice Solar City is developing an on-line calculator to help residents assess if they are worse off - check back here soon.

Visit  the Smart Living Centre to find out more about the cost reflective trial and if it will be suitable for you.

Not: There will be a CPI increase each year to the tariffs, usually on 1 July.

You can view our cost reflective tariffs fact sheet for further information.

If you have a smart meter and want to know more about how to read the display, take a look at this easy to use guide.