3 hours of free electricity, every single day
The Victorian Government’s new initiative is here. Switch your daytime habits and enjoy free power from 11 am to 2 pm.
How it works
Starting 1 October 2026, Victorian residential customers with a smart meter can opt into the Midday Power Saver standing offer. This plan will provide you with free primary load electricity usage for your household between 11 am and 2 pm, 7 days a week.
You don’t even need solar panels on your roof to qualify. The plan is designed to let you use the cheap, renewable solar energy currently flooding the Victorian grid during peak daylight hours.
What you need to know upfront:
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The fair use cap:
Free primary load electricity usage applies between 11am and 2pm up to 24 kWh per day, everyday.
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Free primary load electricity usage only:
Daily supply and controlled load charges still apply during the free usage period. The excess electricity usage charge applies to usage that exceeds the fair use cap during the free usage period.
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Straightforward, simple rates:
This regulated plan keeps things simple and does not include market offer extras with rates capped by government protections.
Is this plan right for your household?
This plan may not be suitable in all circumstances and is best suited to customers who can shift their usage to the free usage period. Failure to shift usage to the free usage period could result in higher electricity costs.
Yes, look into this if you:
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Work from home or have someone in the house during the day.
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Can use delay-timers on your washing machine, dryer, or dishwasher.
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Own an Electric Vehicle (EV) or home battery that you can plug in at midday.
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Have high-energy appliances (like a pool pump) that can be automated.
Think twice if you:
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Are out of the house all day and can’t automate your appliances.
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Do all your heavy washing, heating, or cooking early in the morning or late at night.
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Want to keep rewards
Switching to this regulated plan means you will part with standard market offer perks, like earning Qantas Points or contributing to the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).
How to maximise your savings
Once you opt-in, standard continuous power (like your fridge and lights) will automatically be free during midday. To really win, focus on moving your heavy dynamic loads into the 11 am – 2 pm window.
What to do (11am - 2pm) | What to minimise (peak evening) |
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Set delay-timers on your laundry appliances and dishwasher. | Avoid running multiple heavy appliances at the same time. |
Pre-cool or pre-heat your home before 2 pm. | Keep the use of major heating and cooling to a minimum. |
Plug in and charge your EV or home batteries. | Turn off all non-essential lights and appliances during peak night hours. |
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A digital Smart meter is required to accurately track and deduct your free midday usage. If you don't have one, our team can help organise an upgrade.
You can absolutely still use this plan. You can use the free primary load electricity usage period to top up your home battery or EV on cloudy days when your solar output is low, preserving your own stored solar energy for the expensive evening peak.
Any extra primary load electricity used over the 24 kWh limit during those three hours will be charged at the applicable usage rates, but are capped by government protections.
Check your current usage habits anytime using the Red Energy App. Reviewing your smart meter graphs shows how much power you currently use between 11 am and 2 pm, making it easy to plan which appliances to shift into the 3 hour window.
Ready to make the shift?
Sign up to the Midday Power Saver by calling our award-winning Customer Solutions team on 131 806, or simply request a call back.
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