In Western Australia, electricity customers fall into two general categories.
1. Non-contestable customers
Non-contestable customers are customers within the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) who use less than or equivalent to 50 megawatt hours of electricity a year (MWh/a).
These customers are supplied by Synergy and pay capped tariff rates determined by the State Government under electricity by laws.
Residential households (including permanent caravan park residents) and small businesses usually fall within this category.
2. Contestable customers
Contestable customer types include:
- small to medium businesses
- large businesses
- regional and non-integrated grids.
Within SWIS
All customers within SWIS who consume more than 50 MWh/a (an average of 137 units a day) have a choice of electricity retailers and may negotiate the rates they pay with their chosen retailer.
Consumers who use more than 50 MWha/a and less than 160 MWh/a may choose between:
- paying the relevant capped tariff rates offered by Synergy that are prescribed under electricity by laws, or
- be supplied by Synergy or another retailer and negotiate the rates they pay.
Outside SWIS
There is no electricity consumption threshold for contestability that applies to customers outside the area served by the SWIS. This means that all customers outside of the SWIS are contestable and can choose their retailer. However, please be aware that there may not be any alternative retailers to Horizon Power servicing a particular region to allow for customer choice.
More information
Please visit the website of the Economic Regulation Authority for detailed information about choosing a retailer and entering into a contract with a retailer.
