Electricity prices are falling. So why are Canberrans’ household power bills about to rise?

Canberra households will be paying more for electricity from July — about $5 a week more.

The sole company that runs the ACT’s power network, EvoEnergy, has today requested the increase from the network regulator, which will almost certainly approve it.

EvoEnergy says its charges need to go up because electricity prices are going down.

If that sounds confusing to you, you’re not alone — the workings of Australia’s electricity markets are complicated.

Let’s go through what has happened and explain why.

The renewable energy capital

Canberra’s entire electricity use is bought from renewable suppliers, such as…