"Today, following the publication of South Australian electricity tariffs effective from this January, Origin Energy has decided it will offer electricity to domestic consumers and small business as well as industrial customers in 2003," said Origin Energy's executive general manager retail, Peter Vines.

"Origin is now in the process of determining the extent of its involvement and will convey this to customers in coming weeks.

"For the first time, Origin's entry into the electricity market creates the potential to offer a competitive alternative for South Australia's 750,000 households and small businesses."

Mr Vines added that Origin retails gas to 350,000 South Australian customers and provides gas and electricity to over 2 million customers nationally.