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In an effort to ease the financial burden on households, a new initiative promises to cut the average family’s electricity bill by up to $300 annually. This scheme introduces free daytime power usage, available every day of the week, excluding peak hours in the evening and morning.
Approximately 2.6 million households are expected to benefit from this plan, contingent on opting in through their energy providers, according to the government. This initiative aims to eliminate additional costs for consumers when operating appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers during the day.
Energy retailers will play a crucial role by offering discounted daytime tariffs to participating households. This daily free power initiative is slated to launch on October 1, with specific timings for the free electricity periods to be disclosed in May.
Retailers will be required to offer a discounted tariff to households during the day.
The daily free power scheme will kick in from October 1, with the times of the free electricity to be announced in May.
“It’s another reason why working from home can save you time and money,” Premier Jacinta Allan said.
Energy providers previously called on the state government for more time to prepare for the scheme, which retailers argued could result in higher costs outside of the free period.
The plan has also been criticised for unfairly benefiting households who could afford to install solar panels or batteries.
Around 850,000 Victorians use solar power for cheap or free power during daytime hours.
From July, energy retailers must make sure customers who have been on the same plan for more than four years are paying a “reasonable price”.
If not, the provider must move them to a cheaper plan.
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