Mozo spokeswoman Kirsty Lamont said fixed-price energy plans could help households by removing any chance of energy bill shock.

One of the nation’s biggest energy retailers, Origin, from tomorrow (Saturday) is looking to snare increased market share in the highly competitive energy industry by allowing users to sign up to a fixed payment deal on their gas and electricity bills.

The Predictable Plan will allow all energy users in Victoria, NSW, Qld, SA and the ACT to sign up to the deal that will see them charged the same amount every fortnight or month regardless of how much energy they chew up.

Customers on the deal will also not be subject to any energy price fluctuations.

The unique offer which was previously only available to Origin customers, will now be available to millions more customers and the move is expected to ramp up competition among the big utility retailers.

The offer requires eligible customers to provide their previous three month’s energy bills which Origin then uses to determine a lock-in cost that the customer will be charged once they sign up.

The retailer’s general manager of retail, Jon Briskin, said the plan removes any uncertainty for households on how about how much their utility bills are going to be each fortnight or month.

“Predictable Plan gives them something they have never had before — complete certainty over their energy costs,’’ he said.

“It’s helping people address a real concern they have around energy bills.”

Origin has more than 4.2 million customer accounts across electricity, natural gas, solar and LPG nationally.

Financial comparison website Mozo compares energy deals and spokeswoman Kirsty Lamont said the deal was a good way to reduce any uncertainty each time a bill arrives.

“Energy bill shock is a big problem for many Australian families, higher than expected energy bills do put pressure on household budgets and only it’s not uncommon for people to have to use credit or draw on their savings to cover the extra cost of a big bill,’’ she said.

“It’s much easier to budget for your energy bill when it’s a known amount each month and it will take away the anxiety and stress of households that do find it hard to absorb a higher than normal bill into their finances.”

But Ms Lamont said for households who do use less energy than the fixed price then there’s no benefit on this type of plan and consumers could end up paying more than needed.

sophie.elsworth@news.com.au