Electricity prices in Essential Energy (NSW) — 2026–27
AER Default Market Offer · effective 1 July 2026
$2,604 /year reference bill at 4,600 kWh
Usage 35.0c/kWh · supply 272.2c/day (GST incl.) · -5.0% vs 2025–26
Regional New South Wales · source: AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8)
| Tariff | Daily supply | Usage | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential (flat rate) | 272.2c/day | 35.0c/kWh | $2,604 |
| Residential (time of use) | — | varies by window | $2,530 |
| Controlled load 1 (add-on) | 15.7c/day | 19.9c/kWh | +$455 |
| Small business (flat rate) | 405.7c/day | 40.4c/kWh | $5,517 |
Highest residential DMO reference price of the five AER zones (regional NSW).
Electricity bill estimator
Essential EnergyA 2-person household uses roughly 4,000–5,500 kWh a year.
$2,604 per year ≈ $651/quarter
- Supply charge (272.2c/day × 365)
- $993.59
- Usage (35.0c/kWh × 4,600 kWh)
- $1,610.25
Rates: AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8), effective 1 July 2026 (GST inclusive). This is the government reference/standing rate for Regional New South Wales — market offers can sit below it. Full Essential Energy price breakdown →
How Essential Energy compares
| Zone | Region | Usage c/kWh | Supply c/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Energy | NSW | 35.0c | 272.2c |
| Ausgrid | NSW | 33.1c | 166.2c |
| Endeavour Energy | NSW | 33.7c | 185.1c |
| CitiPower | VIC | 26.0c | 121.1c |
| Powercor | VIC | 28.2c | 138.1c |
| United Energy | VIC | 27.4c | 119.1c |
| Jemena | VIC | 27.5c | 127.1c |
| AusNet Services | VIC | 32.0c | 128.2c |
| Energex | QLD | 28.0c | 192.0c |
| Ergon Energy | QLD | 28.9c | 180.5c |
| SA Power Networks | SA | 41.9c | 180.1c |
| Western Power (SWIS) | WA | 33.3c | 119.2c |
| Horizon Power | WA | 33.3c | 119.2c |
| TasNetworks | TAS | 28.0c | 167.7c |
| Evoenergy | ACT | 37.0c | 134.2c |
| Power and Water | NT | 31.7c | 62.5c |
Frequently asked questions
- Why is a Essential Energy bill different from other areas?
- Poles-and-wires costs differ by network. Essential Energy covers Regional New South Wales, and its network charges are built into the AER Default Market Offer figures for this zone — so the same usage costs a different amount on a neighbouring network. Compare the other NSW zones or the national table below.
- Does the reference price cap what I pay?
- Not exactly — it caps what retailers may charge a default (standing-offer) customer at the model usage level of 4,600 kWh/year. Market offers usually price below it, so treat $2,604 as the benchmark your own plan should beat.
- What's controlled load?
- A separately metered circuit — usually electric hot water — that the network can energise off-peak in exchange for a cheaper rate. In Essential Energy's zone the controlled-load usage rate is 19.9c/kWh, well under the anytime rate of 35.0c/kWh.
- When do these prices change?
- Every 1 July. The AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) applies from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027; the next reset is 1 July 2027. This page is re-verified against the new determination each year.
Related
Sources — figures current as at 17 July 2026.
Rates apply 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027 and reset every 1 July. Figures are the government reference/standing rates for this zone — retail market offers can differ.