<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="_blank" title="Victorians"><span>Victorians</span></a><span> will be offered three hours of free electricity during the day from October under a state government plan to reduce household energy bills.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The scheme aims to save the average family up to $300 per year on electricity by allowing free daytime power, seven days per week, outside of peak evening or morning periods.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/solar" rel="" target="_blank" title="Solar panel"><span>Solar panel</span></a><span> and battery owners are expected to save more than $1000.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-march-25-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/a5597d7f-50d1-40b8-94fa-0cfd43b6e879" target="_blank"><strong><span>Iranian 'news' outlet gloats over fuel shortages in Australia</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>CRIME:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/chris-bagsharian-two-arrested-alleged-murder-kidnapping-sydney/11765004-e46f-4531-8875-c98e6f4a8eab" target="_blank"><strong><span>Two more arrested over alleged kidnapping and murder of Sydney grandfather</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government said around 2.6 million households will be eligible for the plan, which requires opt-in via energy providers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It will mean zero extra costs for running the washing machine or dishwasher during the day.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/victorians-offered-three-hours-of-free-energy-every-day-under-state-government-plan/96f48f67-c1dd-4831-8fcc-9236d184d291" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Retailers will be required to offer a discounted tariff to households during the day.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The daily free power scheme will kick in from October 1, with the times of the free electricity to be announced in May.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The offer forms part of the Victorian government's push for </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-work-from-home-legislation/b83f85b4-168a-4443-9d50-9b5afc701640" rel="" target="_blank" title="residents to work from home more regularly."><span>residents to work from home more regularly.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's another reason why working from home can save you time and money," Premier Jacinta Allan said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Energy providers previously called on the state government for more time to prepare for the scheme, which retailers argued could result in higher costs outside of the free period.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The plan has also been criticised for unfairly benefiting households who could afford to install solar panels or batteries.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>NATIONAL:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/fuel-prices-updates-iran-war-trucking-industry/13a5b797-8e31-40bf-8260-cc83f4f8601e" target="_blank"><strong><span>'Simply cannot keep going': Entire industry facing extinction amid fuel crisis</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Around 850,000 Victorians use solar power for cheap or free power during daytime hours.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victorian-default-offer-power-bill-to-drop-essential-services-commission/7ae1579e-172e-47bc-80d4-fed2ab0cd214" rel="" target="_blank" title="More rules are coming into effect on July 1 in Victoria"><span>More rules are coming into effect on July 1 in Victoria</span></a><span> which could put downward pressure on energy bills.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>From July, energy retailers must make sure customers who have been on the same plan for more than four years are paying a "reasonable price".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If not, the provider must move them to a cheaper plan.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" 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