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Energy Locals is a relatively new electricity retailer on the Australian market. They have an unusual focus on the environment, not only offering complete carbon offsets for power emissions but refusing to source their electricity from fossil fuel power plants.
Energy Locals is completely owned and operated in Australia and supports several groups promoting renewable energy.
Is Energy Locals right for me?
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Find out how much you can save by switching to Energy Locals
Updated March 31st, 2020
How much does Energy Locals Cost?
The following price estimates are a general guide only. Prices are based on a residential customer in NSW who consumes 3,900 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Ausgrid network. Prices last checked on December 2019 and are subject to change. Always check the providers site before applying.
| Plan name | Difference from reference price | Conditional discount? | Estimated price (per 91 days) | Estimated price (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Saver - Anytime | 6% less | $343.72 | $1,375 | |
| Residential - Anytime standing offer | Equal to | $366.28 | $1,465 | |
| Online Saver - Anytime | 9% less | $334.69 | $1,339 |
The following price estimates are a general guide only. Prices are based on a residential customer in Queensland who consumes 4,600 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Energex network. Prices last checked on December 2019 and are subject to change. Always check the providers site before applying.
| Plan name | Difference from reference price | Conditional discount? | Estimated price (per 91 days) | Estimated price (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Saver - Anytime | 1% less | $390.40 | $1,562 | |
| Residential - Anytime standing offer | Equal to | $391.45 | $1,566 | |
| Online Saver - Anytime | 4% less | $377.96 | $1,512 |
The following price estimates are a general guide only. Prices are based on a residential customer in South Australia who consumes 4,000 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the SA Power Network. Prices last checked on December 2019 and are subject to change. Always check the providers site before applying.
| Plan name | Difference from reference price | Conditional discount? | Estimated price (per 91 days) | Estimated price (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Saver - Anytime | 5% less | $462.13 | $1,849 | |
| Standing Offer - Anytime | Equal to | $484.22 | $1,937 | |
| SA Virtual Power Plant - Anytime | 21% less | $382.57 | $1,530 | |
| Online Saver - Anytime | 4% less | $463.75 | $1,855 |
Plans offered by Energy Locals
Plans offered by Energy LocalsEnergy Locals offers two main residential energy plans, but they are only available in SA, QLD, VIC, ACT, and NSW. The exact details of each plan vary depending on your state and postcode, but both include complete carbon offsets for emissions from customers' energy usage.
Online Saver
The Online Saver plan is a basic energy plan offering electricity at wholesale prices. To have access to lower prices, the plan includes a monthly membership fee included in your daily supply charge. There are solar feed in tariffs available to those with renewable energy systems and an $84 a month conditional discount for paying on time. This plan is only available online, as the name suggests, and has no lock-in contract and thus no exit fees.
Local Saver
The Local Saver plan also offers electricity at wholesale prices, but is open to customers who don't sign up online. It includes a small monthly membership fee in its daily supply charges and is predicted to cost slightly more per year by about $100-$200. There are feed in tariffs for solar customers that vary by state and postcode. Just like the Online Saver plan, there is no lock-in contract and therefore no exit fees.
Does Energy Locals offer solar?
While Energy Locals doesn't offer solar installation themselves, they do partner with solar installers to incentivise the switch to renewable. All customers who get an Energy Locals plan to go with their solar power get a free solar meter installed to help them track their energy production and usage.
They've also teamed up with a startup called Enosi to develop an energy-sharing scheme where customers can share their solar power with each other at fixed prices.
For all their regular residential electricity plans, Energy Locals offers decent solar feed in tariffs, depending on what state you're in.
How green is Energy Locals?
Energy Locals was given a score of 7.5/10, making it the equal third most green retailer in the 2018 Green Electricity Guide overseen by Greenpeace. It doesn't source its power from fossil fuel-burning power plants, offers 100% carbon offsets for all power emissions, and has solar export prices above the state average.
While it takes a strong public position against investing in fossil fuels, it isn't currently involved in any energy demand and response programs and doesn't actively promote energy efficiency.
Charity Support
Energy Locals supports a number of organisations and charities, including the Starlight Children's Foundation, the Cancer Council, R U OK?, and others. When you sign up to their Local Saver energy plan, you have the option of having a small fixed amount of your monthly bill be donated to one of these organisations.
Does Energy Locals offer any special incentives to sign up?
Currently, Energy Locals has an incentive for residents of South Australia. When they sign up for a Local Saver plan, they'll receive a higher solar feed in tariff until March 2020. After this period, it will revert to their lower, regular tariff.
Can I manage my plan from my phone?
No, but Energy Locals does have an online portal where you can view and manage your bills and usage.
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