Australian energy retailers must offer three hours of free daytime electricity
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Australia mandates retailers offer 3 hours of free daytime electricity from July 2026.
Starting 1 July 2026, energy retailers in NSW, South Australia, and South-East Queensland must offer households at least three hours of free daytime electricity daily, timed around midday (e.g., 11am-2pm). Called the Solar Sharer Offer, it passes on cheap midday solar wholesale power to consumers who opt in. A 24 kWh/day cap was added after public consultation. Estimated savings range $100-$1,100/year depending on load shifting. Renters with smart meters can participate. EV charging and battery charging during the free window are notable use cases.
What commenters are saying
Commenters broadly welcome the scheme as overdue, noting it helps renters and lowers grid stress from solar oversupply. Some question coordination: same timeslot risks demand spikes. Others flag that retailers may offset free hours with higher rates outside the window, requiring load shifting for benefit. The 24 kWh cap is seen as reasonable for most homes but too low for full EV charging. A few note smart meter resistance among some consumers, but overall sentiment is positive toward the policy.