Small and medium business network tariffs
What is considered a small or medium business customer?
Small and medium business customers are those with an annual energy consumption of less than 160,000 kWh.
Within the tariff class there are two different size classifications:
- Small Business 0 - 40,000 kWh p.a.
- Medium Business 40,000 - 160,000 kWh p.a.
How are small and medium business network charges determined?
Network charges are determined by several factors:
- Electricity consumption (a price per kWh)
The amount of electricity a business uses - Connection voltage
The voltage at which the business is connected to the electricity network. - Type of meter
The type of meter installed at the business, an older style accumulation meter or newer style interval meter (also known as a smart meter). - Load profile
The pattern of electricity usage over time. - The tariff structure
The type of electricity tariff, such as a flat volume charge or a time of use volume charge.
Small and medium business network tariffs
We bill our network charges direct to retailers and the retailer charges the business for electricity used. The charge is based on a specific tariff (an amount per kilowatt of energy consumed). Retailers offer a range of retail offers.
Types of tariffs
Small business tariffs are volumetric or time of use based tariffs, charging customers based on kWh.
Medium business tariffs include a demand charging component in addition to kWh. Learn more about the differences below.
Demand tariffs
A demand tariff is based on the highest amount of power usage in a 30-minute interval over the last 12 months. The tariff is based on the kVA demand (kW times the power factor) that a customer places on the network. It is applied to a business customer who has annual usage between 40,000 and 160,000 kWh and demand greater than 120 kVA.
These customers are identified by SA Power Networks, however the customer can elect to opt into a time of use only tariff. A customer with less than 40,000 kWh annual consumption can also elect to opt into this tariff.
Non-demand tariffs
Non-demand tariffs are based on the actual consumption of energy. The type of non-demand tariffs available differ according to which meter is being used by the business. If you have an accumulation meter, you are most likely on a Business Single Rate (BSR) or Business Two Rate (B2R) Tariff. If you have an interval meter, you are on a time of use tariff.
Learn more about these tariffs below.
Business Single Rate (BSR)
A business is charged a flat rate per unit of electricity used, no matter what time of day or night it is being used. If the business has an accumulation meter, you are most likely on this tariff.
Business Two Rate (B2R)
Depending on the time of day, a business is charged either a Peak or Off Peak price for their electricity usage. The business will have an accumulation meter which has two time clocks to record Peak and Off Peak hours.
Small Business Time of Use (SBTOU)
A business with an interval meter will be able to access this time of use tariff. Depending on the time of day, the business will pay a Peak, Shoulder or Off Peak price. The tariff also distinguishes between workdays and non workdays.
Frequently asked questions
Find a list of frequently asked questions and answers about small business networks tariffs below.
If you have an interval meter, SA Power Networks is required to charge your retailer a time of use tariff. Your retailer can choose to offer you a time of use or a single rate tariff, and is required to communicate with you on any retail tariff change.
You should contact your retailer to ask which tariff you are on.
When you change an accumulation meter to an interval meter, SA Power Networks is required to charge your retailer network time of use tariffs. We must inform your retailer of this change.
It is up to the retailer to decide how they incorporate the network tariffs into the retail offer for the customer.
You can get more detail about the network time of use tariff in our Tariff Structure Statement (TSS). Read the 2025-2030 Tariff Structure Statement.
Your retailer may have different time periods and charges for their retail time of use tariff, depending on your retail offer. You should contact your retailer to get more detail.
While your SA Power Networks tariff will remain a time of use tariff in accordance with our Tariff Structure Statement, your retailer may choose to offer a single rate tariff. You should speak to your retailer about this.
Speak to your retailer.
Changes take effect on 1 July each year. However, your retailer may increase your retail prices outside of this, depending on your retail contract with them.