Q: Why are prices increasing?The need for tariff increases has been driven largely by increases in the cost of inputs required to produce and transport electricity such as fuel, materials, labour, construction, poles and wires.
The Office of Energy has indicated that electricity tariffs are not cost reflective, and due to this, future tariff increases will be required to cover the cost of generation, transportation and retailing.
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Q: How much is my tariff going to go up by?- Please see the Prices & fees page for information on current tariffs.
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Q: Will my NaturalPower premium increase?- Your NaturalPower premium will not be increasing. For residential customers, the base tariff rate you currently pay will be increasing by 5%.
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Q: How will this affect my EasyGreen contribution?- Your EasyGreen contribution amount will not increase. However, the amount of renewable energy your contribution buys will be lower.
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Q: I'm a PowerShift customer. Is my PowerShift rate going to rise?- No. Your PowerShift price will not be increasing.
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Q: I’ve also heard that some fees and charges will be increasing?Yes. Synergy has reviewed its fees and charges for the 2011-2012 financial year. The government has approved a small increase to 12 existing fees. The majority of these fees and charges are pass through costs incurred by Synergy in relation to the provision of Western Power and financial institutions services.
Please refer to the Prices & fees page for further information on fees and charges.
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Q: How can I manage the impact these increases have on my electricity bill?- The Synergy website provides a range of tips and tools designed to help customers save energy and manage the impact of price increases. Our range of energy calculators can assist customers assess their current energy use and identify ways to save.
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Q: I’m struggling to pay my bills. What assistance will be made available to help me manage the increases? - If you’re having difficulty payment your bill by the due date, you need to call us as soon as possible, so we can find the right level of assistance for you. Depending on your financial situation our credit management team may be able to assist you with other government schemes aimed at helping people in hardship.
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Q: I’m a concession card holder. Will the concession I receive also increase?The State Government has announced that concessions for residential customers will be increasing in line with the tariff increases to help minimise the impact of the price increase.
If a customer holds a valid concession card they may be eligible for a rebate off their bill. Centrelink, The Department of Veteran Affairs and the Western Australian Office for Senior’s Interests and Carers issue eligible concession cards.
Visit the Concessions & rebates page for further information.
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Q: I have heard prices will continue to rise. Is this true?The Government has announced that it will increase tariffs responsibly and we will continue to advocate on behalf of customers that any increases be gradual to allow time to adjust.
We are not in a position to discuss future price increases. If customers would like more information about the possibility of future tariff increases, please ask the customer to contact the Office of Energy or visit www.energy.wa.gov.au
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Q: Don’t the continual price rises show that disaggregation and competition (electricity reform) is failing?- No, prices are increasing both around Australia and around the world. Western Australia is not immune to the cost pressures which are being experienced elsewhere.
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Q: What are Synergy’s strategies to help customers cut energy costs?- A range of energy solutions are available on our website, to help homes and businesses manage any proposed price increases. We encourage customers to utilise the free web tools and advice provided here on our website.
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Q: How do you calculate the tariff increase on my bill? - When the “effective date” of a price increase falls in the middle of your billing cycle, you will receive an invoice with two different calculations on your bill. As it is not possible to take a reading on the same day for every customer, we will divide your usage between the two time periods and then calculate the amounts accordingly.
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Q: I’m a self read customer and my bill has been estimated for some time now. How will my bill be calculated with the price increase? - To bill you correctly, we need you to supply an actual meter reading.
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