If you’ve managed to stay blissfully unaware of rising energy prices, and of the changing political, social, and cultural landscape regarding fossil gas, you’re probably already living an all-electric life, and/or an off-grid one. If you are one of the majority of Australians heavily dependent on gas and electricity utilities, however, the recent price rises will be most unwelcome.
Predictions warn of a 19 to 23 per cent increase to retail electricity costs, depending on region, meaning a net increase of between $402 and $594 per household over 2023-2024. Likewise, gas prices rose by as much as 22 to 28 per cent in the 12 months to January 2023, and are likely to rise further. It’s becoming increasingly attractive for the average Australian to look for alternatives as cost-of-living pressures,…