An initiative that is much more than easing pressure on household budgets. Opportunity to access three hours of free electricity every day between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm through the Victorian Government’s Midday Power Saver initiative.

Victoria’s electricity network is changing as renewable energy becomes a larger part of everyday life, reducing reliance on expensive evening power and lowering long-term electricity costs.

In this guide, we’ll explain how the Midday Power Saver works, who is eligible, and practical ways to make the most of free midday electricity.

What Is Victoria’s Midday Power Saver?

The Victorian Midday Power Saver is being launched on 1 October 2026 and allows households to access free electricity between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm every day by opting into a participating retail electricity plan.

The initiative was introduced because Victoria has become too successful at generating solar energy during the middle of the day. The government aims to encourage households to shift more of their electricity consumption into this period, thus saving low-cost energy from going unused.

To participate, households will generally need:

• A compatible smart meter
• An eligible electricity retailer and plan
• To opt into the Midday Power Saver offer

As with any electricity plan, customers should compare tariffs and understand how rates outside the free period may differ.

Why Is Victoria Offering Free Electricity During the Day?

During sunny days, thousands of homes generate electricity at the same time due to rapid growth in rooftop solar installations over the last decade. This creates an abundance of renewable energy between late morning and early afternoon, often more than the grid needs at that moment.

Meanwhile, electricity demand typically peaks in the evening when families return home, cook dinner, heat or cool their homes, and charge devices. The Midday Power Saver helps balance this difference by encouraging electricity use when renewable energy is most abundant.

The initiative aims to reduce pressure on the electricity grid during evening peaks, help households benefit from abundant renewable energy, lower electricity costs through smarter energy use and improve overall energy efficiency across Victoria

What matters now is when the energy is used, not just how much.

Who Can Benefit the Most?

Almost every eligible household will benefit, but some homes may save more if you work from home regularly, have flexible appliance usage during the day, own an electric vehicle, use electric hot water systems or heat pumps and can schedule appliances using timers or smart home technology

Even households without rooftop solar may still benefit by shifting energy-intensive tasks into the free electricity period. If 

Smart Ways to Use Free Midday Electricity

Run High-Energy Appliances Between 11 am and 2 pm

Many everyday household appliances consume a significant amount of electricity. With Victoria’s Midday Power Saver, shifting these activities to the free electricity window can help reduce the amount of electricity you purchase during higher-priced periods.

Where possible, schedule energy-intensive appliances such as:

• Washing machines
• Clothes dryers
• Dishwashers
• Pool pumps
• Electric ovens (where practical)

Change when you use these appliances, not necessarily how often you can make better use of Victoria’s free midday electricity while reducing pressure on the grid during the evening peak.

Many households already use timers or delayed-start settings on appliances like dishwashers and washing machines to run during off-peak periods. The Midday Power Saver makes this strategy even more valuable by rewarding daytime electricity use when renewable energy is most abundant.

Pro Tip: Check whether your appliances have a built-in delay timer or can be connected to a smart plug. Automating your appliance schedule ensures you consistently take advantage of the free electricity window without needing to remember to switch them on each day.

Heat or Cool Your Home Earlier

Instead of waiting until the evening, pre-cool your home during warmer months or pre-heat it during winter.

Your home’s insulation can often retain a comfortable indoor temperature for several hours, reducing the need to run your heating or cooling system during expensive evening periods.

One of the most common tips shared by Australian homeowners is to “cool the house before you need it.” Rather than arriving home to a hot house and running the air conditioner at full power, many schedule it to start during periods of abundant solar or free electricity. This simple habit helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature while reducing electricity use during peak demand.

Charge Electric Vehicles During Free Hours

Electric vehicles are one of the largest electricity users in many homes.

If you own an EV, charging it between 11 am and 2 pm can reduce charging costs compared to charging during higher-priced evening periods.

EV owners across Australia frequently mention that scheduled charging is one of the easiest ways to reduce running costs. Many modern EVs allow owners to set charging windows directly through the vehicle or a companion app, making it possible to take advantage of free electricity without changing daily routines.

Make the Most of Smart Home Technology

Modern smart plugs, appliance timers and home energy management systems make it easy to automate electricity usage. Scheduling appliances to operate during the free electricity window means you don’t need to remember to switch them on manually every day.

Automation also helps maximise savings consistently throughout the year.

A recurring theme in Australian energy discussions is that automation quickly becomes a habit. Homeowners who use delay-start functions on dishwashers, washing machines and hot water systems often say that once the schedules are set, they rarely need to think about them again and yet continue benefiting from lower electricity costs.

Rooftop Solar

The Midday Power Saver doesn’t replace the value of rooftop solar; it complements smarter energy management.

As feed-in tariffs have declined in many parts of Australia, homeowners and energy experts increasingly recommend using more of your own solar energy rather than exporting it. Running appliances during daylight hours can often deliver greater value than sending excess electricity back to the grid.

Small Changes Can Deliver Long-Term Savings

For example:

• Setting your dishwasher to start at midday
• Scheduling your washing machine before lunch
• Heating water during free electricity hours
• Charging batteries, devices or electric vehicles during the free period

When these habits become routine, they can contribute to noticeable reductions in household electricity costs.

Homeowners already using free daytime electricity plans often describe these changes as “set-and-forget.” Once appliance timers, hot water systems or EV charging schedules are configured, they become part of the household routine with little ongoing effort.

What happens after 2 pm?

Being able to use free midday electricity later in the evening can further improve household energy efficiency and reduce reliance on higher-priced electricity.

It’s also becoming a growing conversation among Australian homeowners, particularly those with rooftop solar. Many are now exploring home batteries as a way to store low-cost or free daytime electricity for use after sunset, when household demand is typically highest.

In our next guide:
How to Maximise Victoria’s Free Midday Electricity with a Home Battery

We’ll explain how battery storage works alongside the Midday Power Saver, who it may suit, and what Victorian homeowners should consider before investing.

Partner with Positive Carbon for Smarter Energy Upgrades

Government initiatives like the Midday Power Saver are changing how Victorians use electricity, but choosing the right energy solution requires more than simply switching retailers.

As an Accredited Provider, we can help you make informed decisions backed by quality products, compliant installations and ongoing support. The future of energy is about using it more intelligently.

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