Am I a Contestable Customer for Business Electricity?

As a smart small business owner, you want to make sure you are getting the best rates on all of your utilities. The more you save, the more profit your business enjoys. Many small businesses are contestable in Perth and South West WA. This means you can shop around and choose the most suitable energy option for your business. Real choice!

What is a Contestable Customer?

A contestable customer deems that the business electricity customer is able to choose their own electricity provider. Contestability is described in the Electricity Reform Administration Regulations, which bases the consumer or business’ annual electricity consumption during a 12-month period.

What Does Your Business Have to Do to Become Eligible to Switch Providers?

To find out if your business electricity is contestable, look over your business’ electricity usage over the last year. If you have not been in business for a year yet, check the projected amounts. Not sure how much your business uses? Well, if you spend over $1,200 a month, then you are likely qualified as contestable and can compare rates and choose the best electricity supplier for your business needs. Another way to tell is if your business already has an electricity contract in action.

Are You a Large Use Customer?

You also need be a ‘large use customer’. This means your business consumes more than 160,000 units of electricity per year. This total can be made up of multiple sites. For example, if one of your sites consumes 50,000 units, and you have a larger site consuming 120,000 units each year, then you would qualify because the total adds up to more than 160,000 units.

Why Business Contestability Benefits You

Giving businesses the ability to choose their own providers promotes competition between suppliers. This offers you better customer service, competitive rates and quality electricity for your business. Perth’s energy market was deregulated in 2006, which split Western Power into 4 separate companies. This is where contestability and competition began.

Will Your Business Lose Power During a Switch Over?

Likely not. You may require a meter change, but even if that is the case, you’d be surprised how quickly the change can take place. You can set it up at a convenient time for your business ideally on a day you are closed to eliminate concerned about a small outage. The change could be as short as 15 minutes or even less. Your retailer can talk to you about your specific location and requirements for the energy changeover.

Contact us today to find out if you are a contestable customer for business electricity and make a change to save money and become more efficient.