Energy savings for Australian first Esperance program

  • Esperance electrification customers saving an average 38 per cent on energy bills
  • Groundbreaking learnings from nation leading project to support future transitions

Esperance residents who switched to electric alternatives earlier this year are already benefiting from cheaper energy bills.

Horizon Power’s Esperance Energy Transition Program Knowledge Sharing Report revealed initial bill savings between 14 and 59 per cent for customers who made the switch.

The State Government – through regional energy provider Horizon Power – invested $10.5 million to support about 400 Esperance customers transition to a new energy source, after the private gas network owner and operator shut down operations in the town in March 2023.

The report provides a roadmap and valuable learnings as other towns seek to transition energy sources for customers around Australia.

Modelling from an independent specialist shows residential customers who selected 100 per cent electric alternatives for their cooking, heating and hot water are expected to save around 38 per cent a year on their household energy bills.

Esperance electrification key outcomes include:

  • 304 residential transitions completed with 75 per cent electing to transition to 100 per cent electric appliances;
  • 94 per cent customer satisfaction rating achieved throughout delivery of the transition;
  • Zero safety incidents; and
  • 76 Department of Communities households took part in the transition.

Other key project findings included the importance of on ground support to assist customers on their journey away from gas, and information on new technologies to customers and trades.

For more information, visit: Landmark energy transition report highlights bill savings for Esperance (horizonpower.com.au)

Comments attributed to Energy Minister Bill Johnston:

“The Cook Government is committed to providing cleaner, greener energy to Western Australians, and Horizon Power’s Esperance Energy Transition Program is a significant milestone for the State.

“I congratulate everyone involved at Horizon Power on the successful delivering of Australia’s first electrification program in Esperance.

“The findings from this groundbreaking project showcase the success of switching energy, the cost saving benefits for customers, while also contributing to a decarbonised future.”

/Public Release. View in full here.