Find your code
Look for the network tariff code on a current electricity bill.
Understand the code on your electricity bill.
These are the Essential Energy business tariffs for 2026–27. Find the code on your bill. Then open one plain-English guide.
Regional, rural and remote NSW, including most areas outside the major coastal networks.
See how you pay
Open the code. We explain the charges in short sentences.
Check solar and battery fit
See what the tariff rewards. Then confirm the result with site data.
See where the tariff changes.
Annual imports identify the likely low-voltage family. Connection voltage, meter type and assignment rules still apply.
Up to 160 MWh a year
160 MWh a year · 160,000 kWhTariff boundary
Above this line, the daily charge rises. Energy rates fall. Monthly kVA demand charges start. A steady load may do well. A short high peak may not.
- A steady load may do well.
- A short high peak may not.
- The retailer must request an accepted tariff change.
More than 160 MWh a year
Connection voltage decides the path
Compare the small-business tariffs.
One tariff rewards daytime energy use. The optional tariff lowers energy rates and adds a kVA demand charge.
| Code | How the network bill works | 2026–27 network rates | Project signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLNBSS1Sun SoakerDefault for eligible new connections, meter upgrades and new energy-resource installations | 18.9741 c/kWh outside 10am–3pm; 8.5988 c/kWh from 10am–3pm. No demand charge. |
| Loads that can run from 10am to 3pm. Main risk: The network saving from midday solar is only the lower Sun Saver rate. |
| BLND1ABOptional demandOpt in for an eligible site | 14.6324 c/kWh peak; 10.3497 c/kWh shoulder; 6.1014 c/kWh off-peak. $9.7035/kVA/month at the peak maximum. |
| Sites with a controlled peak and good power factor. Main risk: One high half-hour kVA event can set the monthly charge. |
Find your code below.
Open one row. You do not need to read every tariff.
BLNBSS1LV Small Business TOU — Sun SoakerSmall businesses connected at low voltage using no more than 160 MWh a year with a smart meter.
BLNBSS1 LV Small Business TOU — Sun Soaker
Who this is for
Small businesses connected at low voltage using no more than 160 MWh a year with a smart meter.
How the bill works
You pay different energy rates at different times. Check the current time periods and seasonal rules.
What solar changes
Solar reduces grid use while it is generating. Its value depends on the energy rate at that time.
What a battery changes
A battery can move energy to a more expensive period. Use actual retailer prices and allow for battery losses.
Check before you model
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Use the retailer prices, not only the network price list.
- Measure the energy that can move between time periods.
2026–27 network schedule
The price signal behind this code
Network rates only. These are not retail electricity prices.
Published network rates
- Access
- $2.3784/day
- Peak
- 18.9741 c/kWh · Every day outside 10am–3pm
- Sun Saver
- 8.5988 c/kWh · Every day, 10am–3pm
When it applies
Sun Saver runs from 10am to 3pm every day. The peak rate applies at other times. Interval meters use daylight saving time.
Illustrative example
Move 1,000 kWh into the Sun Saver period
- All 1,000 kWh moves from the peak rate to 10am–3pm.
- The example uses network rates only.
- It ignores battery losses and retailer pricing.
This is not a retail-bill saving quote. A battery delivers less energy than it charges.
BLND1ABLV Small Business TOU Demand — Opt inSmall businesses connected at low voltage using no more than 160 MWh a year with a smart meter.
BLND1AB LV Small Business TOU Demand — Opt in
Who this is for
Small businesses connected at low voltage using no more than 160 MWh a year with a smart meter.
How the bill works
You pay fixed and energy charges. The bill also uses the highest kVA reading in set periods.
What solar changes
Solar can reduce daytime grid use. If the highest kVA reading occurs after solar output falls, solar alone will not remove it. Solar does not correct poor power factor.
What a battery changes
A battery can reduce the active-power part of the kVA peak. Check power factor before you size it.
Check before you model
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Use 12 months of interval data. Check the time of each billed peak.
- Get kW, kVA and power-factor data from the billing meter.
2026–27 network schedule
The price signal behind this code
Network rates only. These are not retail electricity prices.
Published network rates
- Access
- $2.3784/day
- Peak energy
- 14.6324 c/kWh
- Shoulder energy
- 10.3497 c/kWh
- Off-peak energy
- 6.1014 c/kWh
- Peak demand
- $9.7035/kVA/month
When it applies
On weekdays, off-peak is 12am–7am, shoulder is 7am–10am, peak is 10am–3pm, shoulder is 3pm–5pm, peak is 5pm–8pm, shoulder is 8pm–10pm, and off-peak is 10pm–12am. Weekends are off-peak. Interval meters use daylight saving time.
Illustrative example
Reduce the billed peak by 50 kVA
- The battery reduces the monthly peak maximum from 300 kVA to 250 kVA.
- No later interval sets a new maximum.
- The example uses the published network demand rate only.
A 100 kW / 200 kWh battery may not reduce a two-hour 300 kW event by 100 kW after losses and site load changes. Check half-hour kVA data.
BLND4SBLV Small Scale StorageNew low-voltage storage-only connections up to and including 250 kW.
BLND4SB LV Small Scale Storage
Who this is for
New low-voltage storage-only connections up to and including 250 kW.
How the bill works
This tariff is for a separate battery or hybrid connection. It is not for a normal business load.
What solar changes
Do not use this tariff to assess solar that shares a meter with normal business equipment.
What a battery changes
Treat this as a specialist connection project. The connection design and market contract control the result.
Check before you model
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Check the connection approval, export limit and protection design.
2026–27 network schedule
The price signal behind this code
Network rates only. These are not retail electricity prices.
Published network rates
- Access
- $2.3784/day
- Peak import demand
- $15.4927/kVA/month
- Shoulder import demand
- $6.8171/kVA/month
- Off-peak import demand
- $4.9726/kVA/month
- Evening export rebate
- -5.1906 c/kWh · 5pm–8pm
- Daytime export charge above 1.5 kW
- $1.195/kW/month · 10am–3pm
When it applies
Import demand uses the storage time bands. Daytime export charges apply from 10am to 3pm. The LV evening rebate applies from 5pm to 8pm.
Illustrative example
Classify a 200 kW LV standalone battery
- The new battery connects at low voltage.
- Its rated power is 200 kW.
- No business load or generator shares the meter.
This classification does not confirm connection approval or project value.
BLND3AOLV Large Business DemandBusinesses connected at low voltage using more than 160 MWh a year.
BLND3AO LV Large Business Demand
Who this is for
Businesses connected at low voltage using more than 160 MWh a year.
How the bill works
You pay fixed and energy charges. The bill also uses the highest kVA reading in set periods.
What solar changes
Solar can reduce daytime grid use. If the highest kVA reading occurs after solar output falls, solar alone will not remove it. Solar does not correct poor power factor.
What a battery changes
A battery can reduce the active-power part of the kVA peak. Check power factor before you size it.
Check before you model
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Use 12 months of interval data. Check the time of each billed peak.
- Get kW, kVA and power-factor data from the billing meter.
2026–27 network schedule
The price signal behind this code
Network rates only. These are not retail electricity prices.
Published network rates
- Access
- $22.3346/day
- Peak energy
- 7.0201 c/kWh
- Shoulder energy
- 5.6141 c/kWh
- Off-peak energy
- 3.645 c/kWh
- Peak demand
- $12.039/kVA/month
- Shoulder demand
- $10.8924/kVA/month
- Off-peak demand
- $2.8541/kVA/month
When it applies
The meter records a separate monthly half-hour kVA maximum in the peak, shoulder and off-peak bands.
Illustrative example
Reduce the BLND3AO peak maximum by 50 kVA
- The peak-band maximum falls by 50 kVA.
- Shoulder and off-peak maxima do not change.
- The example uses one month of network demand charges.
The site still pays shoulder and off-peak demand. This is not a whole-bill saving.
BLND3TOLV Demand — AlternativeEligible low-voltage businesses using more than 160 MWh a year.
BLND3TO LV Demand — Alternative
Who this is for
Eligible low-voltage businesses using more than 160 MWh a year.
How the bill works
You pay fixed and energy charges. The bill also uses the highest kVA reading in set periods.
What solar changes
Solar can reduce daytime grid use. If the highest kVA reading occurs after solar output falls, solar alone will not remove it. Solar does not correct poor power factor.
What a battery changes
A battery can reduce the active-power part of the kVA peak. Check power factor before you size it.
Check before you model
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Use 12 months of interval data. Check the time of each billed peak.
- Get kW, kVA and power-factor data from the billing meter.
2026–27 network schedule
The price signal behind this code
Network rates only. These are not retail electricity prices.
Published network rates
- Access
- $22.3346/day
- Peak energy
- 19.2768 c/kWh
- Shoulder energy
- 14.6931 c/kWh
- Off-peak energy
- 6.7066 c/kWh
- Peak-or-shoulder demand
- $15.4853/kVA/month
When it applies
One monthly demand charge uses the highest half-hour kVA reading in either the peak or shoulder period.
Illustrative example
Reduce the BLND3TO peak-or-shoulder maximum by 50 kVA
- The highest peak-or-shoulder reading falls by 50 kVA.
- No later peak or shoulder interval replaces it.
- The example uses one month of network demand charges.
Do not compare this demand result alone with BLND3AO. The energy rates differ. Use 12 months of interval kWh and kVA data.
BLND4LSLV Large Storage / HybridNew low-voltage storage or generation connections above 250 kW with no co-located load.
BLND4LS LV Large Storage / Hybrid
Who this is for
New low-voltage storage or generation connections above 250 kW with no co-located load.
How the bill works
This tariff is for a separate battery or hybrid connection. It is not for a normal business load.
What solar changes
Do not use this tariff to assess solar that shares a meter with normal business equipment.
What a battery changes
Treat this as a specialist connection project. The connection design and market contract control the result.
Check before you model
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Check the connection approval, export limit and protection design.
2026–27 network schedule
The price signal behind this code
Network rates only. These are not retail electricity prices.
Published network rates
- Access
- $22.3346/day
- Peak import demand
- $15.1181/kVA/month
- Shoulder import demand
- $13.2946/kVA/month
- Off-peak import demand
- $4.4127/kVA/month
- Evening export rebate
- -5.1906 c/kWh · 5pm–8pm
- Daytime export charge above 1.5 kW
- $1.195/kW/month · 10am–3pm
When it applies
Import demand uses the storage time bands. Daytime export charges apply from 10am to 3pm. The LV evening rebate applies from 5pm to 8pm.
Illustrative example
Classify a 300 kW LV storage project
- The new battery connects at low voltage.
- Its rated power is 300 kW.
- Only ancillary load shares the meter.
A normal behind-the-meter battery does not use this path. Confirm the connection design with Essential Energy.
BHND3AOHV Business DemandBusinesses connected and metered at high voltage.
BHND3AO HV Business Demand
Who this is for
Businesses connected and metered at high voltage.
How the bill works
You pay fixed and energy charges. The bill also uses the highest kVA reading in set periods.
What solar changes
Solar can reduce daytime grid use. If the highest kVA reading occurs after solar output falls, solar alone will not remove it. Solar does not correct poor power factor.
What a battery changes
A battery can reduce the active-power part of the kVA peak. Check power factor before you size it.
Check before you model
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Use 12 months of interval data. Check the time of each billed peak.
- Get kW, kVA and power-factor data from the billing meter.
- Get an engineering review before you select equipment.
2026–27 network schedule
The price signal behind this code
Network rates only. These are not retail electricity prices.
Published network rates
- Access
- $27.4319/day
- Peak energy
- 5.2283 c/kWh
- Shoulder energy
- 4.2238 c/kWh
- Off-peak energy
- 3.4717 c/kWh
- Peak demand
- $11.5026/kVA/month
- Shoulder demand
- $10.4071/kVA/month
- Off-peak demand
- $3.1143/kVA/month
When it applies
On weekdays, off-peak is 12am–7am, shoulder is 7am–10am, peak is 10am–3pm, shoulder is 3pm–5pm, peak is 5pm–8pm, shoulder is 8pm–10pm, and off-peak is 10pm–12am. Weekends are off-peak. Interval meters use daylight saving time. Each band has its own monthly half-hour kVA maximum.
Illustrative example
Reduce the HV peak maximum by 50 kVA
- The peak-band maximum falls by 50 kVA.
- No later peak replaces it.
- The example excludes retailer and project costs.
The tariff is only one part of an HV project. Engineering and connection costs can control the result.
BHND4LSHV Storage / HybridNew high-voltage storage or hybrid connections with no co-located load.
BHND4LS HV Storage / Hybrid
Who this is for
New high-voltage storage or hybrid connections with no co-located load.
How the bill works
This tariff is for a separate battery or hybrid connection. It is not for a normal business load.
What solar changes
Do not use this tariff to assess solar that shares a meter with normal business equipment.
What a battery changes
Treat this as a specialist connection project. The connection design and market contract control the result.
Check before you model
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Check the connection approval, export limit and protection design.
- Get an engineering review before you select equipment.
2026–27 network schedule
The price signal behind this code
Network rates only. These are not retail electricity prices.
Published network rates
- Access
- $27.4319/day
- Peak import demand
- $12.5825/kVA/month
- Shoulder import demand
- $11.2496/kVA/month
- Off-peak import demand
- $3.8099/kVA/month
- Daytime export charge above 1.5 kW
- $0.985/kW/month · 10am–3pm
When it applies
Import demand uses the storage time bands. The 2026–27 list also publishes an HV daytime export demand charge.
Illustrative example
Classify a 500 kW HV storage project
- The new battery connects to the high-voltage distribution network.
- Its rated power is 500 kW.
- Only ancillary load shares the meter.
The example uses a project above 250 kW, but voltage is the key distinction from BLND4LS. Confirm the connection offer.
BSSD3AOSub-transmission DemandConnections supplied at Essential Energy sub-transmission voltage.
BSSD3AO Sub-transmission Demand
Who this is for
Connections supplied at Essential Energy sub-transmission voltage.
How the bill works
You pay fixed and energy charges. The bill also uses the highest kVA reading in set periods.
What solar changes
Solar can reduce daytime grid use. If the highest kVA reading occurs after solar output falls, solar alone will not remove it. Solar does not correct poor power factor.
What a battery changes
A battery can reduce the active-power part of the kVA peak. Check power factor before you size it.
Check before you model
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Use 12 months of interval data. Check the time of each billed peak.
- Get kW, kVA and power-factor data from the billing meter.
- Get an engineering review before you select equipment.
2026–27 network schedule
The price signal behind this code
Network rates only. These are not retail electricity prices.
Published network rates
- Access
- $27.2302/day
- Peak energy
- 6.7409 c/kWh
- Shoulder energy
- 3.9788 c/kWh
- Off-peak energy
- 3.2959 c/kWh
- Peak demand
- $4.4388/kVA/month
- Shoulder demand
- $3.1645/kVA/month
- Off-peak demand
- $1.2614/kVA/month
When it applies
On weekdays, off-peak is 12am–7am, shoulder is 7am–10am, peak is 10am–3pm, shoulder is 3pm–5pm, peak is 5pm–8pm, shoulder is 8pm–10pm, and off-peak is 10pm–12am. Weekends are off-peak. Interval meters use daylight saving time. The tariff uses a separate monthly half-hour kVA maximum in each band.
Illustrative example
Reduce the sub-transmission peak by 50 kVA
- The peak-band maximum falls by 50 kVA.
- Other demand bands do not change.
- The site does not use a negotiated price.
Sites above 10 MW or 40 GWh a year may have site-specific arrangements. Confirm the actual contract.
BLNBEX1LV Small Business Solar ExportExport channels paired with the BLNBSS1 small-business Sun Soaker tariff.
BLNBEX1 LV Small Business Solar Export
Who this is for
Export channels paired with the BLNBSS1 small-business Sun Soaker tariff.
How the bill works
This code applies when electricity leaves the site. It works with a separate import tariff.
What solar changes
The code changes the network value of exported solar. It does not change the price of imported electricity.
What a battery changes
A battery can store midday solar and export it later. Confirm the later price and the export limit first.
Check before you model
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Confirm the main import tariff and the retailer export price.
- Check the approved export limit.
2026–27 network schedule
The price signal behind this code
Network rates only. These are not retail electricity prices.
Published network rates
- Export above the free allowance
- 0.8277 c/kWh · 10am–3pm
- Evening export rebate
- -12.2425 c/kWh · 5pm–8pm
When it applies
The export charge applies from 10am to 3pm. The export rebate applies from 5pm to 8pm.
Illustrative example
A 30-day BLNBEX1 export example
- The free allowance is 225 kWh: 30 × 7.5 kWh.
- The site exports 300 kWh from 10am–3pm and 100 kWh from 5pm–8pm.
- The example uses network rates only.
The retailer feed-in price is separate. Confirm how the retailer passes through the network charge and rebate.
BLNE22AUBusiness Anytime ExportBusiness export channels for sites above 160 MWh a year.
BLNE22AU Business Anytime Export
Who this is for
Business export channels for sites above 160 MWh a year.
How the bill works
This code applies when electricity leaves the site. It works with a separate import tariff.
What solar changes
The code changes the network value of exported solar. It does not change the price of imported electricity.
What a battery changes
A battery can store midday solar and export it later. Confirm the later price and the export limit first.
Check before you model
- Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
- Confirm the main import tariff and the retailer export price.
- Check the approved export limit.
2026–27 network schedule
The price signal behind this code
Network rates only. These are not retail electricity prices.
When it applies
Anytime export. The 2026–27 price list does not set separate export time bands for this code.
Illustrative example
Classify a large-business export meter
- The business uses 220 MWh a year.
- The site has a net export meter.
- The main import tariff is a large-business tariff.
The price list gives no network usage rate for this code. This example cannot produce an export saving. Check the retailer treatment.