An Expert’s Guide to Energex
Energex is an electricity distribution network service provider (distributor) in South-East Queensland. It is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the infrastructure that makes it possible for electricity to reach your home.
Energex is the first port of call when something goes wrong with your energy supply, so it’s useful to have basic idea of what it does. That’s why in this article we will go over what you need to know about Energex and when and how to contact them.
On this page, we’ll cover:
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Energex Expert Guide
Energex services more than 1.4 million residential and business customers over a network that has a population of roughly 3.4 million Queenslanders. Its network consists of 53,000 kilometres of underground wires and overhead lines, 288 substations and roughly 50,000 distribution transformers, all of which span over 25,000 square kilometres, from Tweed to Gympie.
Here is some general information about when and when not to contact Energex:
| When should I contact Energex? | When should I NOT contact Energex? |
|---|---|
| To connect your home or business to the electricity grid | To enquire about your electricity bill (contact your retailer – e.g. AGL, Origin) |
| Report a power outage and ask for an update on when power will be restored | To discuss changing energy plans or retailers |
| De-energise or relocate network assets to undertake work on your property (i.e. power poles) | To discuss the best solar panel systems for your home |
| Get permission to install solar | Any electricity fault not related to the electricity network |
| Report a fallen powerline or electric shock (non-life threatening) |
Energex Services
Queenslanders in the south-east can contact Energex for a number of different services, including electricity connections, rooftop solar PV, projects and maintenance in their area, pricing and tariff information, as well as metering. The distributor is also handy to contact if your property is experiencing issues with power supply, as they are responsible for supplying and restoring electricity.
Energex Tariffs
Energex has a range of tariffs in Queensland outlining various network metering and connection charges for residential and business customers. Keep in mind that there are multiple tariffs on the Energex network and there is an exhaustive list of pricing information. Find all the details you need by visiting Energex’s Pricing and Tariffs page.
Energex Connections
To organise a new power connection, you should first confirm that you are situated on the Energex energy network by checking the map on its website. After you have done this, you (generally through an electrical contractor) will then need to lodge an enquiry with Energex to receive a quote as to the cost and timeframe for the connection. Energex claims it endeavours to complete its assessment within 20 business days.
If you are happy with the quote, the next step is to lodge a connection application to engage Energex to complete the work. Once your electrical contractor has prepared the property, Energex will connect the property to the shared network. After this, all that’s left to do is to choose a power retailer and energise the connection. Fees may vary depending on your situation, however, there is usually no upfront fee for basic connections as these costs are recouped through network charges.
Energex App
Energex has a dedicated app called ‘Look Up and Live’ for residents to download via the Apple Store and Google Play. The Look Up and Live app allows business owners and machinery operators working in proximity of powerlines take relevant safety precautions. Energex used to have an app called MyPower but is not available to download anymore.
Electricity Plans on the Energex Network
Most residential customers living on the Energex network should be able to choose their electricity retailer. Take a look below at some of the cheapest electricity prices in Queensland and see which providers are dishing out the best deals.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision. The next three tabs feature products exclusively from AGL, EnergyAustralia and Origin.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for SEQ. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex energy network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the EnergyAustralia plans on our database for SEQ. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for SEQ. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Energex Company Information
Below we list some important information about Energex. These details may come in handy should you ever have to contact them about a power supply issue.
Energex Contact Details
You can contact Energex online or over the phone. If your query is not urgent, you can get in touch via the online form on the Energex website. If you need to speak with someone directly, the phone number to contact depends on the reason for your call.
- General enquiries: 13 12 53 (Mon-Fri: 7am – 5:30pm)
- To report an emergency situation: 13 19 62 (24/7)
- To report a power outage: 13 62 62 (24/7)
Keeping the emergency number to report fallen power lines close by is probably a wise idea. Otherwise, most households will have little reason to ever contact Energex.
Energex Coverage Map
Energex’s distribution area covers most of South-East Queensland, spanning from the border of New South Wales to as far north as Gympie and as far west as the start of the Great Dividing Range. This includes major urban areas such as Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Logan, Ipswich, Redlands and Moreton Bay.
Energex is the sole electricity distributor in this zone and will handle all energy network matters. Customers north of Gympie or west of Gatton area are situated on the Ergon Energy network. Customers just south of the Queensland border in Tweed will be connected to the Essential Energy network.
Source: Energex website
Energex Power Outages
Energex updates a list of known outages every 15 minutes. If you experience a loss of power, you should first check this list to see whether or not Energex is already aware of the issue, and how long it expects it will take to fix. If the outage is not listed on its website, then call 13 62 62 to report it to Energex.
3,003 customers without power in Gold Coast City, Logan City area. Check website for updates https://t.co/sP1Tgn54vV
— Energex (@Energex) January 15, 2022
Kelseigh Wrigley: Energy Specialist
As Canstar Blue’s Energy Specialist, Kelseigh Wrigley covers the retail energy market, with a focus on electricity, gas and solar. She joined the team after completing a Bachelor of Journalism at the Queensland University of Technology, and has previously written for a variety of online publications, including Hunter and Bligh. You can follow Kelseigh on LinkedIn.
Other QLD Energy Distributors
There are only two electricity distributors in Queensland – one for the South-East and one for regional QLD. There are also two natural gas distributors in the Sunshine State. Here are the energy distributors in QLD.
Electricity:
- Energex for South-East QLD, including Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
- Ergon Energy for southern regional QLD and North QLD, including Toowoomba, Gladstone, Mackay, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns.
Natural Gas:
- Allgas Energy for south of the Brisbane River, South Coast, Toowoomba and Oakey.
- Australian Gas Networks for north of the Brisbane River, Ipswich, Gladstone, Rockhampton.
FAQs about Energex
Who owns Energex?
Energex is a subsidiary of Energy Queensland Limited, a state government-owned company. Energex formed its title in 1997 after its time in operation under the Brisbane City Council, the South East Queensland Electricity Board (SEQEB) and as a government-owned corporation. It merged with Ergon Energy in July 2016 and now operates under its parent company, Energy Queensland Ltd.
Can I choose a different energy distributor other than Energex?
No, if you live in South-East Queensland, your electricity distributor is Energex. This means Energex is the energy distribution network for households and businesses in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Gatton, Gympie and Rainbow Beach. Any Queenslanders outside of these areas will likely be on the Ergon Energy network.
What type of work does Energex do?
As an electricity distributor, Energex is responsible for building and maintaining the low-voltage poles, wires, transformers and substations you see around the place. Energex does not generate electricity itself, nor is it responsible for customer billing. If you have a query or concern about your energy bill, you’ll need to contact your electricity retailer – not Energex.
You should contact Energex where you have an issue concerning the supply of electricity to your home, such as a power outage. You should call Energex if you spot a fallen power line in South-East Queensland.
Energex does not operate as a general electrician service and it can only assist with issues that relate to the network (i.e. issues occurring before the property’s connection point). Queries relating to metering should be referred to your electricity retailer or meter provider, while issues with the internal wiring of your property will require a licenced electrician. You will also need to contact Energex if you are looking to connect a new property to the electricity grid for the first time. Similarly, you (or your installer) will also need permission from Energex before installing a solar PV system up to 30kW.
What is Energex Lightning Tracker?
Energex Lightning Tracker shows storm activity during severe weather events across South-East QLD. The Lightning Tracker also provides a radar of lightning strikes (known as cloud to ground events), and displays information on the potential impact these strikes have on restoring power in local areas.
Who owns the electricity grid in Queensland?
It’s important to understand there are four stages of electricity supply in Queensland – generation, transmission, distribution and retail. The transmission lines or network is owned by Powerlink Queensland, a government-owned corporation. Powerlink Queensland runs almost 15,000 kilometres of transmission network.