Common questions

​Am I overpaying?

What can I check on my electricity bill right now? Three quick checks. First, look for a VAS (Value Added Services) line item. If you see one, ask yourself whether you are actually using the service you are paying for, such as portal access or reporting tools. Many customers pay for VAS they never use. Second, check your metering charges. Third, for small business customers on bundled plans, check whether a discount is applied to your rate. Retailers almost always have discounts available and many customers miss out simply by not asking. If you are unsure what any of these charges mean, reach out and we can help you go through your bill.

Am I paying too much for electricity? It depends, and the answer is rarely obvious from your price alone. A rate that looks expensive in one state may be competitive in another. A business that appears to be overpaying on their energy charge may actually be losing more on their network tariff or metering arrangement. Whether you are overpaying comes down to your market classification (SME or C&I), your state, your network tariff structure and what is currently available in the market. These factors combine differently for every business, which is why a detailed review is the only reliable way to find out. If your arrangement has not been reviewed in the past 12 months, it is worth doing.

How do I know if my contract has expired, and what is a default rate? The clearest sign of an expired contract is a noticeable and unexplained increase in your bill. When a large market (C&I) contract expires without renewal, the customer is moved onto a default rate. Default rates are fallback pricing set by each retailer for large business customers who have no active supply contract in place. There is no regulatory cap on these rates and they are not publicly advertised. They exist to ensure continuity of supply, not to offer competitive pricing, and they sit well above what a negotiated contract would cost. Going back to market quickly is always the best outcome. To confirm your contract status, contact your retailer directly or reach out to us and we can check for you.

How can I reduce my business electricity costs? The most impactful thing most businesses can do is make sure they are on the right type of contract for their consumption level and that it has been competitively tendered. Beyond that, review your network tariff to check it suits your usage patterns, make sure your metering is set up correctly, and act early when your contract is approaching expiry. Being proactive and giving yourself time is more important than trying to time the market.

Are energy retailers negotiable? Yes, particularly for C&I customers. Retailers actively compete for large market business and the rates they offer through a tender process are often better than what they would offer a customer approaching them directly. Retailers also have different appetites depending on the type of business, with some pricing more competitively for certain industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality or logistics. A tender gives retailers the opportunity to bid for your business, which is exactly where the best pricing comes from.

Should I use an energy broker or go direct to a retailer? For most commercial and industrial businesses, using a broker will produce a better outcome than going direct. CNI Energy collects 12 months of your usage data, builds a comprehensive consumption profile and presents it to retailers in a way that makes them comfortable offering their best pricing. Going direct to one retailer means accepting whatever they offer with no competitive benchmark.

Understanding your electricity bill

How can I tell if I am a small market (SME) or large market (C&I) customer? Your market classification is based on annual electricity consumption. Take your daily average usage shown on your bill and multiply it by 365. If that figure exceeds your state threshold, you are most likely eligible for a large market (C&I) contract. The thresholds are: QLD and NSW, 100,000 kWh (100 MWh); VIC, 40,000 kWh (40 MWh); SA, 160,000 kWh (160 MWh). An important point: some businesses are above the threshold but still on a bundled SME-style plan or a month-to-month arrangement. Being eligible for a C&I contract does not mean you are automatically on one. If you are unsure whether you are on the most suitable arrangement, reach out and we can help.

What is a NMI and where do I find it? NMI stands for National Metering Identifier. It is a unique 10 or 11-digit number assigned to every electricity connection point in Australia. Your NMI identifies your specific meter and stays with the property, not the occupant. You will find it on your electricity invoice, usually in the account details or site information section. Retailers and brokers need your NMI to provide pricing, process transfers and access your consumption data.

What is the difference between a bundled and unbundled bill? A bundled bill shows a single cents-per-kWh rate that rolls energy, network, metering, environmental charges and the retailer margin into one figure. It is simple but opaque. You cannot see what you are paying for each component. An unbundled bill, which is standard on all C&I contracts, lists every charge separately. It looks more complex but gives you full visibility and makes it easier to identify if any individual charge is higher than it should be.

What are network charges? Network charges are what you pay for the infrastructure that delivers electricity to your premises, the poles, wires, transformers and substations. These charges are set by your electricity distributor, not your retailer, and are regulated by the Australian Energy Regulator. Your retailer passes them through at cost. On an unbundled C&I bill, network charges are broken down into a fixed daily charge, a volumetric usage charge and in many cases a demand charge based on your peak consumption.

What are environmental charges? Environmental charges recover the cost of government-mandated renewable energy and energy efficiency obligations. The main schemes are the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET), the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), and state-based programs such as the NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) and Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS). These rates are reset annually by regulators, which is why your environmental charge can change from year to year even if your energy rate is fixed.

What are metering charges? Metering charges cover the installation, maintenance and repairs associated with your electricity meter. You are effectively renting the meter under an ongoing metering agreement. These charges appear as a daily or monthly line item on your bill. If you require a new meter or an upgrade, there are generally no upfront costs to the business. The exception can be installations in remote areas or out-of-hours access, where a travel or access fee may apply.

What is VAS on my electricity bill? VAS stands for Value Added Services. It is a charge typically passed through by energy brokers for additional services such as portal access, reporting tools or account management platforms. It is collected automatically through your invoice each period. The key question is whether you are actually using the service you are paying for. Many customers have a VAS line item they have never noticed or no longer use. If you notice this line item on your bill and are unsure what it covers, get in touch with us and we can help you work out what you are paying for.

What is a loss factor and how does it affect my bill? Some electricity is lost as heat during transmission and distribution from the generator to your site. Because of this, more energy must be purchased at the wholesale level than you actually consume at your meter. Loss factors are applied to your energy charge to account for this. For most commercial sites the combined loss factor is between 1.03 and 1.06, meaning you effectively pay for 3 to 6 percent more energy than your meter records. Loss factors are built into C&I contract rates and are worth understanding when comparing offers from different retailers.

How often will I receive an invoice? It depends on your billing structure, which is influenced by your contract type. Businesses on large market (C&I) contracts are billed monthly as standard. Businesses on small market (SME) plans are more commonly billed quarterly, though monthly billing is available on request with some retailers. The monthly cycle on C&I contracts reflects the complexity of unbundled billing and makes it easier to manage cash flow and identify any anomalies early.

What is a solar feed-in tariff and are they still worth it? A solar feed-in tariff (FiT) is a rate paid by your retailer for excess electricity your solar system exports back to the grid, expressed in cents per kilowatt hour. Feed-in tariffs have fallen significantly over the past decade. As rooftop solar has become widespread, the grid is frequently oversupplied during daylight hours, particularly in QLD, SA and VIC, which has pushed export values down. Most commercial customers now receive rates of between 3 and 10 cents per kWh. Using the solar energy you generate on-site is now far more valuable than exporting it. If you have solar and want to understand how it interacts with your electricity contract, reach out and we can help you assess this as part of a bill review.

The electricity supply chain

How does electricity get from a power station to my business? Electricity travels through four stages. Generators produce electricity and sell it into the wholesale market. Transmission networks carry it at high voltage over long distances to regional hubs. Distribution networks carry it the last mile to your premises via local poles and wires. Retailers purchase electricity from the wholesale market and on-sell it to you under a supply contract. You pay the retailer, who settles with the distributor and generator on your behalf.

What is a retailer and can I choose mine? A retailer is a licensed company that purchases wholesale electricity and sells it to customers under a retail supply contract. Unlike distributors, you can choose your retailer, and this is where competitive savings are found. Retailers include Origin Energy, AGL, EnergyAustralia, Shell Energy, Momentum Energy, Nectr, Smartest Energy, Next Business Energy and many others. This choice is where a tender process creates real value.

What is a distribution network and who owns it? A distribution network is the local infrastructure of poles, wires, transformers and substations that delivers electricity from the high-voltage transmission grid to your premises. Each network is owned and operated by a Distribution Network Service Provider (DNSP) with a regulated monopoly over its geographic area. You cannot choose your distributor. In QLD: Energex and Ergon. In NSW: Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy. In VIC: CitiPower, Powercor, AusNet, Jemena and United Energy. In SA: SA Power Networks. In ACT: Evoenergy.

What is AEMO? AEMO is the Australian Energy Market Operator. It is the independent body responsible for operating the National Electricity Market (NEM), the interconnected grid covering QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, ACT and TAS. AEMO manages real-time dispatch of electricity, operates the wholesale spot market and administers the systems used for customer transfers and metering data. AEMO does not generate or sell electricity.

Where does an energy broker fit in? An energy broker sits between the customer and the retailer. We do not generate, distribute or retail electricity. We act as an independent intermediary that helps businesses navigate the retail market, build a consumption profile, run a competitive tender across the retailer panel and secure the best available contract. We are paid a commission by the retailer when a contract is executed, so there is no cost to the customer.

Brokers and CNI Energy

What does an energy broker do? An energy broker acts as an independent intermediary between a business and the electricity retail market. We collect 12 months of your usage data, build a comprehensive consumption profile and present it to retailers in a way that makes them comfortable offering their best pricing. We compare all offers on a like-for-like basis and present you with a clear recommendation. Beyond the initial contract, a good broker stays on your account, managing renewals and reviewing bills over time. We are paid by the retailer that wins the contract, so there is no cost to the business at any point.

How much does it cost to use CNI Energy? There are no upfront fees, retainers or invoices to you at any point. CNI Energy is paid a commission by the retailer once a contract is executed. For small market (SME) customers, this is a fixed referral fee of up to $250 per NMI per year. For large market (C&I) customers, we apply a commission of between 0 and 3 percent of the energy-only charges, and in some cases we also earn a commission on the metering agreement. We prioritise your savings above all else. We will never recommend an offer unless it demonstrates material savings against your current arrangement.

What information do you need to get started? The simplest starting point is a recent electricity invoice for each site you want reviewed. From an invoice we can identify your NMI, current retailer, tariff structure, usage and contract status. If you would prefer not to provide invoices, you can approve us to request the data directly from your retailer. Either way, the process takes about two minutes on your end and we handle everything from there.

Do I need to be out of contract to start a review? No. We can begin the review process at any point in your contract cycle. If you are mid-contract, we will complete the analysis, prepare the tender and have everything ready to execute the moment your contract window opens. Starting early gives you more time to run a thorough tender and negotiate, and prevents the all-too-common scenario of approaching expiry with only weeks to go and limited options.

How is CNI Energy different from other energy brokers? We specialise in C&I and large market tenders, which means our knowledge of contract structures, retailer relationships and pricing is calibrated for larger energy users. We are a small, Brisbane-based team with no offshore staffing and low overheads, and we keep our fees genuinely low. We are not a large brokerage with high margins to protect, and that difference gets passed on to clients through more competitive outcomes. We also stay on your account long term, managing renewals and reviewing bills rather than disappearing after the first contract.

Is CNI Energy independent? Yes. CNI Energy is not owned by, affiliated with or exclusive to any retailer. We go to market across our full panel of retailers for every client and present the results objectively. If your current retailer offers the best deal in the tender, we will tell you to stay with them, just on a better contract structure.

Which electricity retailers are on your panel? Our panel includes all major commercial and industrial electricity retailers operating in the NEM, including Tier 1 retailers such as Origin Energy, AGL and Shell Energy, as well as competitive mid-tier retailers including Momentum Energy, Nectr, Smartest Energy, Next Business Energy and others. The specific retailers we approach depends on the state, consumption profile and contract term. We present only competitive, credit-approved offers.

Do you provide ongoing support after I sign a contract? Yes. Ongoing account management is a core part of what we do. We monitor your contract end dates, flag renewal windows well in advance, stay across market conditions and review your bills if something looks unusual. At every renewal we run the tender process again and present updated options. This is included at no additional cost.

Do you handle businesses with multiple sites? Yes. We manage multi-site accounts regularly. Our approach is to review all sites together, identify which are eligible for C&I treatment, and work through them in priority order with the highest usage sites first. We keep a master view of all contract end dates and manage renewals proactively across your portfolio.

What states does CNI Energy operate in? We work with businesses across all states connected to the National Electricity Market, including QLD, NSW, VIC, SA and ACT. We are based in Brisbane but manage clients remotely across all NEM states.

Can CNI Energy help with REC sourcing? Yes. For businesses with sustainability obligations, we can source Renewable Energy Certificates including LGCs directly from the market. Direct market access typically produces more competitive pricing than purchasing through a retailer's standard green product. If your business has sustainability reporting requirements or net-zero commitments, reach out and we can discuss REC sourcing options as part of your overall energy arrangement.

SME customers

What is an SME electricity customer? SME stands for Small and Medium Enterprise. In the context of electricity, an SME customer is a business consuming below the small customer threshold for their state: under 100 MWh per year in QLD and NSW, under 40 MWh in VIC, and under 160 MWh in SA. SME customers are supplied under standard retail contracts with regulated minimum protections, billed quarterly in most cases and on a bundled rate rather than the itemised unbundled structure used for larger customers.

How does SME pricing work? SME electricity is priced as a bundled rate, a single cents-per-kWh figure that includes energy, network, environmental levies, metering and the retailer margin. This makes comparison simple on the surface but the retailer marks up every input cost rather than passing them through at cost. SME customers are generally subject to periodic price reviews, with retailers able to change rates by providing written notice.

What is a month-to-month plan? A month-to-month plan is a supply arrangement with no fixed term, either because no fixed contract has been signed or because a previous contract has expired and automatically rolled over. There is no locked-in pricing, which means rates can change with relatively short notice. For lower-consuming businesses this may be an acceptable arrangement. For higher consumers, having no pricing certainty can represent a meaningful cost risk over time.

When do electricity prices change for small business customers? For SME customers on standing offer plans, the Default Market Offer (DMO) is reviewed and updated by the Australian Energy Regulator on 1 July each year. This sets the reference price for standing offer customers in NSW, SE QLD and SA. Victoria has its own equivalent set by the Essential Services Commission, also on 1 July.

Can CNI Energy help SME customers? Yes. Our approach for SME customers is different to C&I. For SME accounts we review your current rate and compare it against what is available from competing retailers. We also assess whether your site is eligible for or would benefit from moving to a large market contract, which can unlock meaningfully better pricing for businesses at or near the consumption threshold. The review process is quick and we can often identify improvements, particularly for businesses that have not revisited their electricity in some time.

C&I contracts

What is a C&I customer and how do I know if I qualify? C&I stands for Commercial and Industrial. A C&I customer is a business consuming above the small customer threshold for their state: 100 MWh per year in QLD and NSW, 40 MWh in VIC, and 160 MWh in SA. Above these thresholds, a business moves into the large market and can access commercial supply contracts with unbundled pricing and competitive tendering through brokers. To check your own usage, take your daily average consumption shown on your bill and multiply by 365. If the result exceeds your state threshold, you are most likely eligible. If you are unsure, send us a recent invoice and we will confirm your classification.

What is a forward electricity contract? A forward electricity contract is an agreement where a retailer commits to supplying your electricity at fixed rates for a defined future period, typically 1 to 4 years. The retailer hedges the wholesale price risk by purchasing electricity in the forward market at the time your contract is priced and passes those locked-in rates through to you. This protects you from spot market volatility and is the standard contract structure for C&I customers in Australia.

What charges are fixed vs variable on a C&I contract? The energy charge (c/kWh) is fixed for the contract term. Network tariffs are set by your distributor and can change annually, with your retailer passing these through at cost. Environmental levies also change annually with regulatory determinations. Metering charges may be fixed or variable depending on the metering agreement. Understanding which charges are fixed and which are pass-through is important when comparing offers, as not all retailers treat these components the same way.

When should I renew my C&I energy contract? For C&I customers, the ideal time to begin the renewal process is 9 to 12 months before your contract expires. This gives you enough time to run a thorough tender, compare offers and execute a new contract without pressure. Approaching expiry with only weeks to go significantly reduces your leverage with retailers. We monitor your contract and flag your renewal window well in advance as part of our ongoing service.

What affects business electricity prices in Australia? Wholesale spot prices are influenced by fuel costs, generation capacity, weather and the pace of renewable energy entering the grid. Forward contract rates reflect the market's expectation of spot prices over the contract period, plus a risk margin. Network tariffs are set by regulators annually. Environmental levies change with government policy. For C&I customers, timing your contract renewal to favourable market conditions can affect the rate you lock in, though being proactive and acting with time on your side is more important than trying to time the market perfectly.

Can I switch electricity retailers before my C&I contract ends? Generally this is not recommended. C&I forward contracts are binding for their full term and early termination typically incurs a break or termination fee. The retailer has hedged electricity on your behalf in the wholesale market, and unwinding that position early comes at a cost that is usually passed back to you. If you are considering terminating a contract early, reach out to us and we can help you understand what the termination cost might be before you decide.

What is the difference between a stepped and smoothed contract? A stepped contract sets different energy rates for each year of the contract term, reflecting the retailer's forward cost curve. For example, year one might be 10c/kWh, year two 9.5c/kWh and year three 9c/kWh. A smoothed contract applies a single blended rate across the entire term. Which structure is better depends on market conditions at the time of pricing and your cash flow preferences.

Why are longer contract terms sometimes cheaper? In some market conditions, retailers offer lower rates for later delivery periods because the forward wholesale market prices those years more cheaply. A 3 or 4 year contract that blends cheaper outer years into the pricing can result in a lower average rate than a 1 year contract. This is not always the case, which is why we analyse each retailer's quote structure individually.

How long is a retailer's offer valid for? C&I retailer offers typically remain valid for 5 to 15 business days, though some retailers issue offers with validity as short as 48 hours during volatile market periods. This is because C&I rates are priced on forward wholesale market conditions at the time of offer. When we issue a tender summary, we always flag the expiry date of each offer. Delays in accepting can result in repricing at potentially higher rates.

The review and tender process

What does the review process look like from start to finish? Our process has four stages. First, we collect your electricity invoice or request access to your billing data and review every charge in detail. Second, we build a consumption profile using your usage data and historical invoices, which forms the basis of the tender. Third, we go to market, sending a formal offer request to our retailer panel and obtaining competitive quotes. Fourth, we compare all offers on a like-for-like basis, present you with a recommendation and handle the contracting process through to execution. From first invoice to offer presentation typically takes 5 to 10 business days.

What is a Letter of Authority and why do you need one? A Letter of Authority (LOA) is a document signed by the account holder that authorises CNI Energy to access billing data and obtain electricity quotes on your behalf. Without one, retailers will not share your consumption data or provide pricing. Once signed, we can request your usage history and contract details directly from your current retailer, without you needing to chase anything. We send the LOA electronically via PandaDoc and signing takes about two minutes.

What is a consumption profile and why does it matter? A consumption profile is a detailed picture of your electricity usage across time, showing when you consume it, how much and across different seasons. For C&I customers, this data is available in 30-minute increments from your interval meter. Retailers use your consumption profile to price your contract accurately. Presenting thorough and accurate usage data to retailers is what makes them comfortable offering their best pricing.

What happens after I accept an offer? Once you accept an offer, we prepare a formal electricity supply agreement and metering agreement if required. We send these to you via PandaDoc for electronic signing. We manage the process from there and keep you updated throughout.

Do you handle multi-site tenders? Yes. Where a business has multiple sites, we can run a multi-site tender, bundling them together as a single package. Retailers are generally more competitive when bidding for a larger combined load, so this approach often produces better pricing than tendering each site individually. We assess whether a multi-site tender makes sense on a case-by-case basis.

Do I have to accept the offer you recommend? No. We present all competitive offers with transparent reasoning behind our recommendation. The decision is entirely yours. If you prefer to stay with your current retailer or do nothing at this stage, that is completely fine. There is no pressure and no obligation.

Metering and DMAs

What is a metering provider? A metering provider, also called a Metering Coordinator, is an accredited organisation responsible for installing, maintaining and reading your electricity meter. Since metering contestability reforms in 2017, competing metering providers can install and manage meters at commercial and industrial sites. When you move to a C&I contract, your incoming retailer nominates a metering coordinator. Providers operating in Australia include Intellihub, Plus ES (Active Stream), PowerMetric and others.

What is a DMA? DMA stands for Direct Metering Agreement. It is a contract for metering services between a Metering Coordinator and an end-use customer, entered into directly rather than through the retailer. A DMA gives you more control over your metering arrangement, including the ability to choose your own metering provider, access your consumption data independently and negotiate your metering costs directly. When you move to a C&I contract, your retailer will typically nominate a Metering Coordinator unless you have a DMA in place. We check the DMA status for each site before tendering, as an existing DMA can affect which retailers can offer the most competitive terms.

Will I need a new meter when I move to a C&I contract? In most cases, no. The vast majority of commercial business sites in Australia already have an interval meter, which is all that is required for a C&I contract. A meter upgrade would only be needed in the rare situation where a site still has a basic accumulation meter, which is uncommon for any business consuming enough electricity to qualify for a C&I contract. If an upgrade is required, there are generally no upfront costs. The cost is recovered through the ongoing metering charge on your bill, with the exception of remote area or out-of-hours installations where an additional fee may apply.

What is interval data? Interval data is a record of your electricity consumption in half-hour increments, collected by your interval meter. It gives a granular picture of when and how much electricity you use throughout each day. For C&I tendering, interval data is essential. Retailers use it to model your load profile, understand your peak demand and price your contract accurately. Without it, retailers must estimate, which can result in less competitive pricing.

What metering providers does CNI Energy work with? We work with all major accredited metering coordinators operating in the NEM, including Intellihub, Plus ES (Active Stream), PowerMetric and others. The metering provider for any given site is determined by the incoming retailer's preferred coordinator and existing DMA arrangements at your NMI. We check metering status as part of the tender preparation and factor it into our retailer recommendations.

Network tariffs

What is a network tariff? A network tariff is the charge applied by your electricity distributor for use of the poles, wires, substations and transformers that deliver electricity to your premises. These charges are set by distributors and regulated by the Australian Energy Regulator. Your retailer passes them through at cost with no markup. Network tariffs typically consist of a fixed daily charge, a volumetric usage charge and in many cases a demand charge based on your peak consumption.

What is a demand charge? A demand charge is a network tariff component based on the maximum power (kW) drawn by your site during a defined peak window. It reflects the cost of infrastructure that must be sized to handle your peak load, even if that peak only occurs briefly. For businesses with high demand spikes such as industrial equipment or large HVAC systems, demand charges can represent a significant portion of the total bill and are worth reviewing to ensure the right tariff structure is in place.

What is the difference between kW and kWh? kW (kilowatt) measures power, the rate at which electricity is being used at any instant. kWh (kilowatt hour) measures energy, the total electricity consumed over time. Think of kW as your speed and kWh as the distance you have travelled. Energy charges on your bill are based on kWh consumed. Demand charges are based on peak kW drawn during the measurement window. A business with low kWh consumption can still face high demand charges if it draws power at a high rate for short periods.

Who is my electricity distributor? Your distributor is determined by your location and you cannot choose or change it. In QLD: Energex (south-east) and Ergon Energy (regional). In NSW: Ausgrid (Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter), Endeavour Energy (western and south-western Sydney) and Essential Energy (regional NSW). In VIC: CitiPower, Powercor, AusNet Services, Jemena and United Energy. In SA: SA Power Networks. In ACT: Evoenergy. Your distributor's name appears on your electricity invoice.

Can my network tariff change? Yes. Network tariffs are reviewed and reset annually by each distributor, with changes typically taking effect on 1 July. These changes flow through to your bill even if you are on a fixed-term C&I contract, as network charges are a pass-through. Distributors can also reclassify a site to a different tariff structure if your consumption or demand profile changes significantly, which can affect your overall bill independently of your retailer arrangement.

Do network tariffs affect the savings from switching retailers? Network charges are passed through by all retailers at the same regulated cost, so they do not directly affect the retailer comparison. However, they are a significant proportion of your total bill and worth reviewing independently. If your site is on an incorrect or suboptimal tariff structure, correcting it can produce savings separate from and additional to any retailer switching savings. We review network tariff suitability as part of every bill analysis.

Renewable energy and RECs

What is the Renewable Energy Target (RET)? The Renewable Energy Target (RET) is an Australian Government scheme requiring electricity retailers to source a proportion of their electricity from accredited renewable sources. It has two parts: the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET), which supports large projects like wind farms and solar farms, and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), which supports small installations like rooftop solar. Retailers meet these obligations by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). The cost of doing so is passed through to customers as environmental charges on their electricity bill.

What is GreenPower and how do I turn it on? GreenPower is a government-accredited scheme that allows businesses to opt in to having their electricity matched with accredited renewable generation. When you choose GreenPower, your retailer purchases additional Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) on your behalf above the mandatory RET obligation. GreenPower is available in percentages from 10 to 100 percent. There is a premium cost that varies by retailer and the percentage selected. If you are interested in adding GreenPower to your account or want to understand what it would cost, reach out and we can help you work through the options as part of your electricity arrangement.

What is an LGC? An LGC (Large-scale Generation Certificate) represents one MWh of electricity generated from an accredited large-scale renewable energy source such as a wind farm or large solar farm. LGCs are created when renewable electricity is generated and traded on the market. Retailers purchase and surrender LGCs to meet their LRET obligations. Businesses with sustainability commitments can voluntarily purchase additional LGCs to offset their consumption with renewable energy.

What is the difference between GreenPower and a Power Purchase Agreement? GreenPower is a simple retailer add-on where you pay a premium and the retailer sources accredited renewable certificates on your behalf. It requires no long-term commitment. A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a direct long-term contract, typically 5 to 15 years, between a business and a renewable energy generator. PPAs offer price certainty and a direct link to specific renewable assets but require significant scale and long-term commitment. Most commercial businesses access renewable electricity through GreenPower or retailer green products rather than PPAs.

What is the NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS)? The NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) requires electricity retailers operating in NSW to purchase Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs) to meet annual energy savings targets. ESCs are created when accredited activities that reduce electricity consumption are carried out at NSW sites, such as lighting upgrades or HVAC improvements. The cost appears as an ESS charge on NSW electricity bills. NSW also operates the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS), which works similarly. Both appear as pass-through items on NSW commercial invoices.