How demand pricing is calculated for home energy plans

When you move to a home demand pricing plan, your bill shows a peak demand charge. This peak demand charge is based on the maximum demand your household places on the network in a 30 minute interval, during the peak demand window of 5 - 8pm AEST daily.

The amount is calculated as follows:

Your maximum demand (calculated within a 30 minute interval and measured in kilowatt hours) and converted to kW


Demand charge rate in kW (rate set out in ActewAGL’s schedule of charges)


The number of days in that month

= monthly demand charge

For example

Let’s say your household uses a number of appliances one night between 6pm and 6:30pm which consume 4 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, which is equivalent to 8kW over an hour.

If this 30 minute interval is the maximum peak usage in a calendar month between 5 - 8pm, it ends up being your maximum demand for that month.

So, your demand charge for that month will be:

Maximum demand: 8kW


Demand charge rate: $0.16816 (inc GST)*


Number of days in the month: 30 days

= Demand charge: $40.36


The maximum demand resets each calendar month. For quarterly bills, you’ll find three demand charges, one for each calendar month.


*Prices are demonstration samples only. View pricing brochure.
