Last updated: 28 August 2026

    Energy Locals vs Red Energy

    Compare Energy Locals and Red Energy electricity plans side by side. See rates, solar feed-in tariffs, pros and cons, and find out which retailer offers the better deal for Australian households.

    Energy Locals is no longer accepting new customers and becomes 1st Energy from 12 September 2026.

    See 1st Energy plans, or visit 1st Energy directly. Compare Red Energy vs 1st Energy instead.

    Note: Energy Locals is not currently available through our comparison tool.

    Enter your postcode to compare plans from available retailers.

    Rates comparison

    MetricEnergy LocalsRed Energy
    Usage rate (cheapest plan)23.4c/kWh 22c/kWh
    Daily supply charge$1.09/day $1.00/day
    Est. annual cost (from)$1,332 $1,243
    Solar feed-in tariffVaries by state & planConfirm with retailerVaries by state & planConfirm with retailer
    States availableNSW, VIC, QLD, SA, ACT, TASNSW, VIC, QLD, SA, ACT
    Plan typesvariable, solar, greenfixed, variable, solar

    ✓ = lower figure in our live pricing data, not a recommendation. Figures reflect each retailer's cheapest qualifying single-rate market plan at the regulator's benchmark usage, from Consumer Data Right plan data. Actual rates vary by state and plan.

    Rates last updated: August 2026. Solar feed-in tariff rates change regularly. Always confirm directly with your retailer.

    Solar feed-in tariff note: FiT rates vary by state, distributor zone, and plan. Victoria deregulated its minimum FiT from 1 July 2025. Rates are now set by retailers and can be as low as 0c/kWh. NSW and SA have no regulated minimum. Always confirm the current FiT rate directly with your retailer before switching. Learn more about solar feed-in tariffs →

    This analysis is based on EnergyPlans Australia's 2026 energy pricing data across multiple providers and states.

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    Energy Locals

    Energy Locals is an Australian electricity retailer that promoted simple, transparent plans and local customer support. Energy Locals Retail has stopped taking new customers and is transitioning to the 1st Energy brand from 12 September 2026. Existing customers continue to be served through the transition; new customers should look at 1st Energy or other retailers.

    Energy Locals

    Red Energy

    Red Energy is a 100% Australian-owned electricity and gas retailer, wholly owned by Snowy Hydro. Red Energy is consistently recognised for outstanding customer service and competitive pricing, making it a popular choice for households across eastern Australia.

    Red Energy

    Summary

    Energy Locals is no longer accepting new customers and becomes 1st Energy from 12 September 2026. On-record rates are shown for reference only.

    All figures are benchmark estimates based on AER/ESC reference data. Actual plan pricing varies by postcode, usage, and available discounts.

    Both available in: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, ACT

    Energy Locals: pros & cons

    Transparent, simple plan structures on many offers
    Australian-based support team
    Solar and GreenPower-style options on selected plans
    Broad eastern-state footprint including Tasmania on many offers
    Strong customer satisfaction scores in independent surveys
    Not available everywhere — check your address
    Challenger brand — fewer retail shopfronts than major retailers
    Rates still vary by distributor and plan
    Some plans may have conditions or exit terms — read the fact sheet
    Western Australia and Northern Territory coverage differs from the NEM

    Red Energy: pros & cons

    100% Australian-owned (Snowy Hydro subsidiary)
    Consistently top-rated for customer service
    Competitive pricing across all available states
    No hidden fees on most plans
    Solar feed-in tariff available
    Not available in WA, TAS, or NT
    Smaller retailer with fewer plan types than the big three
    Limited business energy options
    No gas supply in some states

    Frequently asked questions

    • Is Energy Locals cheaper than Red Energy?

      Energy Locals is no longer accepting new customers and becomes 1st Energy from 12 September 2026. On-record rates are shown for reference only and are not a current cheaper-plan claim.

    • Which provider offers a better solar feed-in tariff: Energy Locals or Red Energy?

      Solar feed-in tariffs from both Energy Locals and Red Energy vary by state, distributor zone, and plan, and they change regularly. Victoria deregulated its minimum feed-in tariff from 1 July 2025, so rates there can be as low as 0c/kWh, and NSW and SA have no regulated minimum. Always confirm the current feed-in tariff directly with the retailer before switching.

    • Are both Energy Locals and Red Energy available in my state?

      Both Energy Locals and Red Energy are available in: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, ACT. Energy Locals is available in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, ACT, TAS, and Red Energy in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, ACT.

    • Which is better overall: Energy Locals or Red Energy?

      Energy Locals is no longer accepting new customers, so this page is a historical comparison rather than a current recommendation. See 1st Energy if you are looking for a similar plan.

    • How do I switch from Energy Locals to Red Energy (or vice versa)?

      Switching electricity retailers in Australia is straightforward. You can switch online, by phone, or through a comparison service. The process typically takes 2–5 business days and you will not experience any interruption to your electricity supply. Check for any exit fees on your current plan before switching.

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    How we calculate these estimates

    This comparison uses benchmark data from AER and ESC reference pricing. Actual plan rates vary by postcode.

    Estimated costs can vary by usage, tariff type, retailer, distributor, and address. Both supply charges (the daily fixed cost of being connected) and usage rates (c/kWh) affect your total bill. Solar feed-in tariffs vary by retailer and plan. Always review plan details, fees, and conditions before switching.

    Data sources

    • AER Default Market Offer (DMO) reference pricing
    • ESC Victorian Default Offer (VDO) benchmarks
    • Distributor zone boundary data
    • Published retailer plan information

    These are indicative estimates only. Your actual bill depends on your specific plan, usage patterns, and applicable discounts. Read our full methodology.

    How we make money

    EnergyPlans.com.au may receive a commission if you switch through our comparison partner. This does not change the price you pay, but it may influence which plans are available through our service. We do not compare every plan in the market.

    Our editorial content, methodology, and benchmark data are independent of any commercial relationship. Always review plan details, including any fees or conditions, before switching. How we make money.

    Updated June 2026

    Data shown for Energy Locals vs Red Energy.