3 Hours of Free Electricity Usage

Explaining the Solar Sharer Offer (SSO)

19 June 2026

You may have seen the headlines about receiving 3 hours of free electricity usage every day (available from 11am to 2pm in New South Wales and Queensland, and 12pm to 3pm in South Australia). Here’s what you need to know.

The Solar Sharer Offer (SSO) is an Australian government regulated, opt-in electricity Standing Offer plan. It is rolling out from July 1st, 2026, providing residential customers in New South Wales, South East Queensland, and South Australia (who have a smart meter installed) access to 3 hours of free primary load electricity usage, up to 24kWh daily cap. Other charges, such as daily supply charge and controlled load charges will still apply during the free usage period. This initiative takes advantage of the solar energy flowing into the grid during peak daylight hours, encouraging households to use power when there’s an abundance of renewable energy.

A similar initiative for Victorian residents, called “Midday Power Saver”, will be available from October 1st, 2026 (Victorian customers can find out more here ).

Will I receive 3 hours of free electricity usage automatically?

No. From 1 July 2026, to get the 3 hours of free primary load electricity usage from the Solar Sharer Offer (SSO), you must sign up for the Solar Sharer Offer plan. This offer is a separate electricity plan and cannot be added to your current plan. Other charges, such as daily supply charge and controlled load charges will still apply during the free usage period. Customers in an embedded network can’t take up the offer.

From 1 July 2026, if you live in an eligible SSO region (New South Wales, South East Queensland, South Australia), and you are an existing Red Energy customer, you will need to call us on 131 806 to switch to the SSO electricity plan. If you are a new customer joining Red Energy and have a smart meter installed, please call us on 131 806 to sign up.

Am I eligible to sign up to the SSO electricity plan?

In order to take up the SSO electricity plan, there are set criteria you must meet:

• You must be a NSW, SA or SE QLD residential customer: SSO is only applicable for residential customers in New South Wales, South Australia and South East Queensland. (A similar initiative for Victorian residents will be available from October 1st, 2026 you can find out more here ).
• You need a smart meter: In order to be on the SSO plan, you need to have a smart meter (also known as a digital meter, interval meter or comms meter) installed at your supply address. If you do not have a smart meter installed or need information on how to check if you have one, click here to find information on smart meters.
• You need to opt in to the Solar Sharer Offer Plan: The SSO is its own electricity plan. If you switch to the SSO plan, you will lose the benefits on your current market offer plan (such as earning Qantas Points, Taronga Zoo membership or contributions to BCNA). You should consider which plan provides the most benefit to you and your household.
• Customers in an embedded network can’t take up the offer.

Benefits: Maximise Your Free Electricity Usage Period

Due to Australia’s high uptake of solar panels, our energy grid benefits from a surplus of energy during the middle day when the sun is at its peak. The SSO is designed to encourage households to maximise their electricity usage during these hours of high productivity. And the best part, you don’t need your own solar panels to benefit from the offer! All eligible households can utilise the offer, whether you have solar panels or not.

The primary benefit of the SSO is the potential to reduce your annual electricity bill by shifting your electricity usage to the 3 free hours each day. This is possible by focusing on your Dynamic Load - the energy use that is flexible and can be deferred to other times.

The goal: Shift your consumption into the 3 hour free electricity usage window.

* 11AM - 2PM for NSW and SE QLD. 12PM - 3PM for SA.

• Time your usage: Running your appliances (eg dishwasher, washing machine, dryer etc) during the free hours will help to reduce your electricity costs.
• EV charging potential: If you have an Electric Vehicle (EV) with a charger and keep your vehicle at home during the free period, you could shift your charging time to the free hours to reduce costs.
• Home battery owners: Customers with a home battery can charge their battery during the free period.

For more information, please visit the government website here.

What you should consider

While switching your home electricity to an eligible SSO plan could provide savings, it’s important to understand that it may not be suitable in all circumstances. The factors that will determine how much you can actually save:

• Not all load can be shifted: You will continue to use essential electricity when needed, as not all load is flexible. Energy use is split into two types:
  • Static load: Energy use that is constant or cannot be reasonably deferred, such as using your fridge/freezer or lighting. On average, static load accounts for two-thirds of a non-solar customer’s total energy use.
  • Dynamic load: This is the portion you can shift, but it requires effort and convenience will play a relevant factor in how much you change your habits.
• Your results may vary: The estimated shift is an average across all non-solar customers. Some households will make minimal changes to their consumption behaviour, while others may go to great lengths to change it to maximise savings.
• Solar/battery owners: Customers who already have a solar system and home battery may find greater flexibility and opportunities to save from the offer.

How do I sign up?

From 1 July 2026, new and existing customers will be able to change / sign up to the SSO by calling our Customer Solutions team on 131 806.

Frequently asked questions