Energy Locals
Energy Locals is a well-known energy provider in Australia supplying both households and business premises. Find out more about them and how green they are here through Savvy’s energy review.
Fact checked
Energy Locals is a 100% Australian energy retailer which does things a little differently. Instead of charging a daily supply charge, Energy Locals has a fixed membership fee. Electricity is then supplied at close to wholesale market rates, which they claim means lower energy costs for their customers.
The company is majority owned by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, a renewable energy investment fund active in Australia, the UK and the US. All their plans are 100% carbon neutral, and they take a very proactive stance on climate change. Their sister business is Cape Byron Power, which generates electricity from sugarcane and wood waste. However, they also buy power from the national electricity market.
They provide green energy solutions to individuals, small businesses, and larger commercial enterprises, and have partnered with Tesla to provide a Virtual Power Plant network for people who have solar power and a battery system installed.
Disclaimer: Please note that Savvy does not represent Energy Locals for their retail energy products. All listed information is correct as of August 2023 but subject to change.
Which states or territories does Energy Locals operate in?
Currently, Energy Locals offers electricity plans in:
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- South-east Queensland
- South Australia
- ACT
- Tasmania
What is the size of Energy Locals in comparison to other energy retailers?
According to the Australian Energy Regulator’s latest report (Q2 2022/2023), Energy Locals now has over 47,500 retail electricity customers, making them the 12th largest retail energy company in Australia.
Pros and cons of using Energy Locals as your energy provider
- 100% Aussie company
- 100% carbon-neutral plans offered at no extra cost
- Option to add on GreenPower support for an additional cost
- Option to join a Tesla Virtual Power Plant
- Access to instant online usage data
- $100 sign-up bonus for Victorian customers
- $50 off your bill through a ‘refer a friend’ offer
- Currently they only offer electricity plans, no gas plans
- No locked-in prices or contracts
- No plans available in the NT or WA
- No longer taking on new customers in SA
- Set monthly membership fee
- Prices set by wholesale electricity market rates
What is the unique Tesla Energy Plan offered by Energy Locals?
This unique electricity plan is designed for those who own a Tesla Powerwall 2, a solar electricity battery storage system connected to rooftop solar panels. It is a collaboration between Energy Locals and the Powerwall manufacturer, Tesla. Those who sign up for this plan are connected to a Virtual Power Plant, an independent local network of people with solar panels and Tesla Powerwall 2 batteries.
Excess energy generated by members’ solar panels is fed back into the local network to be used by other grid members, reducing the cost of buying electricity from the main electricity grid. Tesla manages the import and export of the solar-generated power, potentially providing customers with the lowest possible energy rates.
How is Energy Locals rated as a green energy provider?
According to Greenpeace’s Green Electricity Guide, Energy Locals has a very high score of 8.09/10, ranking them No.3 Green Energy Retailer in Australia.*
Their scores for specific criteria are:
- Providing clean, renewable energy: 40%
- Ending coal use by 2030: 80%
- Halting fossil fuel expansion: 100%
- Support for new renewable energy 86%
- Pollution & environmental harm: 80%
- Transparency in marketing: 80%
*Information from Greenpeace’s Green Electricity Guide is current as of August 2023, but subject to change.
Why compare energy plans with Savvy?
Free comparisons
Our handy comparison tool is free to use, so you can compare gas and electricity plans from our trusted partners at no cost.
Instant online energy plans
Once you tell us where you live, and the plan you're after, you'll be able to instantly compare plans side-by-side online.
Switch and save
You'll be offered the opportunity to switch to a better energy plan, potentially saving you money on your energy bills.
More questions about Energy Locals
More energy retailer reviews
Powershop
Read about Powershop to find out where they operate in Australia and the pros and cons of choosing them for your energy needs through Savvy’s …
Red Energy
Red Energy is a rapidly-growing electricity retailer with a very green background. Read more about them and find out how green they really are here …
Tango Energy
Tango Energy is one of the smaller and lesser-known energy providers in Australia. Read more about them and find out how green they are here …
Ovo Energy
Ovo Energy is an environmentally-focused energy provider in Australia. Read more about them and discover how green they are here through Savvy’s energy review. Ovo …
1st Energy
1st Energy is a relatively small energy provider in Australia. Read all about them and find out how green they are here through Savvy’s energy …
Energy Locals
Energy Locals is a well-known energy provider in Australia supplying both households and business premises. Find out more about them and how green they are …
Ergon Energy
Ergon Energy is the only electricity retailer in rural Queensland. Find out more about them and discover how green they are here through Savvy’s energy …
Diamond Energy
Diamond Energy is an up-and-coming clean green energy retailer, supplying both retail and business customers. Find out more about them and how green they are …
Compare energy plans
Disclaimer:
Savvy is partnered with Econnex Comparison (CIMET Sales Pty Ltd, ABN 72 620 395 726) to provide readers with a variety of energy plans to compare. We do not compare all retailers in the market, or all plans offered by all retailers. Savvy earns a commission from Econnex each time a customer buys an energy plan via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased directly, as all purchases are conducted via Econnex.
Any advice presented above is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an energy plan. For further information on the variety of energy plans compared by Econnex, or how their business works, you can visit their website.
