Some Victorians are paying up to $1,000 a year for gas and electricity before they turn anything on, a report by St Vincent de Paul shows.

The report showed a "significant increase" in fixed charges for power supply.

Gavin Dufty, from St Vincent de Paul, said power companies were trying to cover their own fixed costs, despite lower usage by consumers.

"Over the past five years, the fixed charges for electricity have more than doubled and the fixed charge for gas has gone up over 60 per cent," he said.

He said they had seen one fixed tariff of $2 per day for electricity.

"If that household was on that and also had gas you're over $1,000 [a year]," he said.

Fixed prices Electricity costs more than doubled over five years

Electricity costs more than doubled over five years Gas prices up 60 per cent over five years

Gas prices up 60 per cent over five years Highest fixed costs in Gippsland, Melbourne northern

Highest fixed costs in Gippsland, Melbourne northern Cheapest fixed costs, Melbourne, outer eastern suburbs, Mornington Peninsula, western Victoria

Cheapest fixed costs, Melbourne, outer eastern suburbs, Mornington Peninsula, western Victoria Shop around for cheapest fixed costs, rather than cheapest tariff

The fixed cost is worked out by dividing the number of power poles in an area by the numbers of customers, making Gippsland and the northern part of Melbourne the most expensive areas, on average.

"In the city, the outer eastern, peninsula and the western part of Victoria are the cheapest areas," Mr Dufty said.

He said the challenge for consumers was to look at the fixed charge component of bill when they were shopping around.

"They do make a difference. On average you're looking at about $700 a year fixed before you consume anything," he said.

Victorian Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said the Labor Government would take steps to stop power companies from charging excessive prices.

Energy customers were in the "extraordinary situation" of finding it very difficult to deal with the fixed costs.

She said the Government, as a high priority, would ban fixed contracts that allow power companies to adjust their prices.

"That way customers will no longer face termination fees for leaving a contract when their price is being varied," she said.

Ms D'Ambrosio said the Government would also ban retailers from charging high supply charges for solar customers.

"In a situation where Victorian families are looking for ways to save on their energy bills and solar panels on their roof is one way of doing that, we're having retailers who are charging them extra supply charges for that very situation," she said.

"That's going to stop under Labor."

The Essential Services Commission would also be given extra powers to fine any company that does the wrong thing.

"We're very keen and we will move very quickly to put Victorian energy consumers first in this situation," Ms D'Ambrosio said.