AGL vs Origin Energy

In New South Wales, Origin Energy's Origin Go Variable plan is more cost-effective than AGL's Value Saver plan.

*New South Wales electricity rates are based on usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff in the Ausgrid network, the DMO reference price is: $1,827 / year. Click here for more information.

In Victoria, AGL's Value Saver plan is more cost-effective than Origin Energy's Origin Go Variable plan.

*Victoria electricity rates are based on usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff in the Citipower network, the VDO reference price is: $1,571 / year. Click here for more information.

In Queensland, Origin Energy's Origin Go Variable plan has the same annual cost as AGL's Value Saver plan.

*Queensland electricity rates are based on usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff in the Energex network, the DMO reference price is: $1,969/ year. Click here for more information.

In SA, Origin Energy's Origin Go Variable plan has the same annual cost as AGL's Value Saver plan.

*South Australia electricity rates are based on usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff in the SA Power Networks, the DMO reference price is: $2,279/ year. Click here for more information.

In ACT, AGL does not service ACT. Therefore, Origin Energy wins by default.

*Australian Capital Territory electricity rates are based on usage of 6100kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff in the Evoenergy network, the DMO reference price is: $2,152 / year. Click here for more information.

Next, we’ll be diving into solar feed-in tariffs for all you solar enthusiasts out there. The key here is figuring out which provider offers a better feed-in tariff so you can take full advantage of your solar system while saving money in the process.

Depending on how much energy you send back to the grid, solar feed-in tariffs can provide homeowners and businesses with financial incentives.

Dollar savings are only a piece of the puzzle. Moving on to the next round, we provide a full breakdown of features offered by both of these retailers. The table provided in this section breaks down which provider offers more for the customer in terms of practicality like app availability, special offers, and more. 

While savings are nice, it’s only one part of the picture. User functionality and features are crucial in today’s technologically-advanced society. People tend to favor practicality when it comes to paying their bills or even checking their energy usage – and they want to do it with ease. 

A lack of flexible payment options can be a deal breaker for many. The last thing you want is for an energy provider to only accept a certain type of payment method. It’s frustrating and can even force someone to switch to a provider that offers more flexibility.

Many electricity customers factor in support for renewable energy when choosing their electricity provider. In this round, we compare Origin and AGL’s support for renewable energy. Unsurprisingly, both Origin and AGL each offer a Greenpower option for their customers. Origin customers can choose between 25, 50, or 100% Greenpower for any plan they sign up with. AGL’s Green Choice program allows customers to choose between 20 or 100% Greenpower for any plan. 

On top of this, Origin and AGL recently participated in a study that measured their efforts toward sustainability and support for renewable energy. The data and variables were pulled from the 2020 Green Electricity Guide (GEG) by Greenpeace. 

As you can see from the table below, Origin Energy and AGL performed above-average in their support for new renewable energy, scoring a respectable 8 out of 10. 

The scores from the other categories are less than subpar with multiple zeros across the board for both providers, leaving them in a dire state in regards to future ‘green’ endeavors. 

According to Greenpeace, AGL Energy is also Australia's biggest climate polluter, accounting for an estimated 8% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions. While AGL Energy owns and invests in renewable assets, 83% of AGL's generation comes from coal-burning. 

Similar to their counterpart, Origin Energy also performed poorly across the board. While Origin invests in some renewable energy generation, according to Greenpeace, they are the 4th biggest climate polluter in Australia due to gas extraction and burning activities as well as their large Eraring coal-burning power station located in New South Wales. The overall rating given by the GEG has Origin Energy listed at a lowly 1.6 out of 10 and AGL Energy at a disappointing 1.2 out of 10.

So in summary, based on these comparisons between AGL and Origin, it’s apparent that both of these energy giants are highly competitive against each other. Remember, rates are subject to change and certain states might offer more exclusive discounts or prices so be sure to check with your retailer before. Pay close attention to what each provider offers for your state so you can find a deal that works best for you. This often makes the selection process a bit easier but there are plenty of other variables that come into play as well. 

If you’re looking to make a switch or have questions about your current energy plan, phone us at Electricity Monster today. We compare rates with our network of trusted electricity and gas providers to find you the best deal we have available.