Amazing electricity price differences

New research shows amazing price differences people are paying for electricity across the nation … with consumers in Sydney (Darlinghurst) paying $1,218.63 for a typical family of 2 adults and 2 kids using 7,500 kilowatts (at regulated peak prices) versus the same family paying $1,729.52 for the same electricity use in Port Adelaide.

Sydney has some of the cheapest prices. Adelaide and Melbourne have some of the most expensive.

New research just released by Switchselect.com shows the remarkable price differences that people are paying for electricity across Australia.

Switchselect.com is a major new free service to show Australians how to get cheaper electricity and gas and can instantly compare electricity or gas suppliers for consumers and potentially show them cheaper and better deals.

The remarkable new research shows that for a family of 2 adults and 2 children consuming 7,500 kilowatts of electricity per year (based on current regulated prices) are paying over $500 more per year for electricity in Adelaide in comparison to the Gold Coast, Canberra and even Sydney.

The research shows that consumers in Sydney, on the Gold Coast and in parts of Queensland are enjoying substantially cheaper prices for electricity in comparison to consumers in Melbourne and also Adelaide.

A family of 2 adults and 2 kids using 7,500 kilowatts of electricity per year (based on current regulated peak prices) is paying very different prices depending on location and Switchselect.com says it’s remarkable to see how much variation is going on.

The research shows that 2 adults and 2 children using 7,500 kilowatts pay:

$1,218.63 in Darlinghurst, Sydney as well as Five Dock
$1,252.96 in Canberra
$1,296.93 in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane as well as Ipswich, the Gold Coast and also Townsville

Yet the same 2 adults and 2 kids using 7,500 kilowatts pay:

$1,372.90 in Wollongong in NSW
$1,373.35 in Wangaratta in Victoria
$1,376.98 in Port Melbourne
$1,432.75 in St Kilda, Melbourne
$1,448.43 in Williamstown, Melbourne
$1,525.88 in Altona, Melbourne (the same price also applies to Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong in Victoria)
$1,592.14 in Dubbo
$1,729.52 in Port Adelaide and also in Mt. Gambier, SA

Leon Hayes – co-founder of Switchselect.com – said “Having worked extensively in the UK for over 5 years and watch deregulation happen there, it was clear to us that things needed a shake up. The fact is that electricity prices are set to rise. People are spending billions and billions of dollars on electricity.”

“With hundreds of thousands of Australians hurting badly under mortgage stress, the fact is people want the best deal for their money. We estimate that a family of 2 adults and 2 kids could potentially save at least $150 a year on its power bills by shopping around to get a better deal. Obviously we are making the industry change because people can really see what’s happening for themselves – and then make their own decision as to who they want to have as their electricity or gas supplier.”

Leon Hayes added “In the UK no one wanted to see companies like ours springing up. Eventually the industry accepted that things just have to change. We’re here to stay and our whole purpose is to show people there is cheaper power out there. At a time when consumer confidence is dropping rapidly and petrol prices are skyrocketing, it’s vital that people shop around. Who has the time to start ringing up all the power companies? Switchselect.com does that hard work to make things easier.”

Since launching the service hundreds of consumers have already benefited through Switchselect.com. To find a cheaper supplier people just have to provide basic detail of their postcode, current usage and current supplier and in around 5 minutes they can alter their supplier. Switchselect.com also offers information about green energy and offers many options.

SWITCHING ELECTRICITY - Switchselect.com, Australia's leading energy comparison website appears on Channel Nine's "Extra"

Switchselect.com's co-founders Leon Hayes and Steven Glover appear on Channel Nine Brisbane's Extra.

Searching for great energy offers? Confused by all the energy industry jargon? Do you want the best deal on your gas and electricity?

Well, you've come to the right place!

Switchselect.com have appeared on Brisbane's Extra program, to give Queensland's energy customers all the details on switching electricity companies.

SWITCHING ELECTRICITY - Thursday 14 February 2008

By Josh Fajzullin

Nobel Peace prize goes to the environment.

The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to former US vice president Al Gore this week for his ongoing campaign to battle climate change.

Mr. Gore has stated this week that global warming is "posing a great unprecedented threat to the future of our civilisation."

He and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) chairman Rajendra Pachauri, accepted the Nobel Peace prize on behalf of the United Nations body being honoured for their work and commitment.

In Oslo to accept the prize, Mr. Gore told reporters "It is a question of the survival of our civilisation the prize has already caused increased attention to the problem of moving along to solve the crisis of climate.''

He has said of the prize that includes a diploma, a gold medal and USD1.8 million dollars (AU$2 million) that he will donate the prize money to the Alliance for Climate Protection, a campaign group that aims to cut emissions and reduce global warming.