Enova Energy is a social enterprise held by more than 1600 Australian community shareholders. The company gives a share of its profits to the community through different projects, energy efficiency, and education.
Enova Energy is a community-owned energy retailer that began operating in 2016. It offers energy in New South Wales (NSW) through the Endeavour Energy, Ausgrid, and Essential networks. Enova also operates in South East Queensland.
Enova Energy plans
Enova Energy's current plan is called Community Plus. Customers are billed monthly through either a single rate or time of usage tariff. Enova offers discounts when bills are paid on time and other benefits from time to time. It also promises no exit fees if you want to switch providers.
In NSW, the charges are 15 per cent lower than the reference price or 17 per cent lower with the pay on time discount. The Community Plus plan for Queensland customers offers a rate 16 per cent lower than the reference price or 18 per cent for on-time payments.
Enova Energy solar feed-in tariffs
Enova does offer a feed-in tariff for solar customers.The solar feed-in tariff is between 10 cents/kWh and 12 cents/kWh for the first 5kWh energy exported to the grid. Beyond5kWh, customers receive 6 cents/kWh.
Enova renewable extras
Enova has other plans for customers wishing to decrease their carbon footprint. You can choose from the following options:
GreenPower 100
Under this energy plan, Enova sources electricity from renewable resources to match 100 per cent of your energy usage, which it says cancels out the resulting emissions. You’ll incur an additional cost of $0.08 per kWh.
Renewable Development Initiative (RDI)
If you’re a Community Plus user, you pay an extra $2 per week to forfeit the pay on time discount. This additional money is used towards community solar projects, which include local investments and education.
Community Renewable 100
The company purchases your entire energy usage from other customers who have rooftop solar installations. You’ll pay an additional fee per kWh for using of this service.
Enova Energy billing
The community-based energy provider offers you multiple options to pay your electricity bill. These include:
- You can set up a direct debit by calling Enova Energy on 02 5622 1700. You don’t have to pay any fees for this.
- Using the B2B 032 573, you can pay in-person at any Westpac Bank branch. You’ll have to pay $2 to pay this way.
- You can opt for internet banking BPAY using biller code 256 446 and the reference details on your invoice.
- You can pay online via debit or credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) with no extra processing fees.
Enova also allows you to submit a self-meter reading if you’ve frequently had a problem with missed meter reading visits. If you have a basic analogue or digital meter, you can take a picture of the registers and email it to [email protected] on the same day.
Hardship help
If you’re having difficulties paying your electricity bill, you can contact the company to prevent disconnection. The service provider will help you manage the outstanding electricity bill, give you advice and strategies that can reduce your future energy usage, and make it easier to pay future bills. Enova says it will also develop an assistance plan, which you need to agree to. Additionally, you need to pay the instalments as agreed, and if you face any difficulties paying, you’ll need to contact the company as soon as possible.
Concessions and rebates
If you’re in NSW, you may be eligible for several government-funded rebates. Some of the available rebates include low-income household rebate and life support rebate if your household requires life support. You may be eligible for a medical energy rebate if you’re unable to self-regulate body temperature in extreme conditions or a family energy rebate if you qualify for Family Tax Benefit A or B. You could also get a concession through the energy accounts payment (EAPA) scheme.
Several government rebates are also available for customers based in Queensland. These include the QLD electricity rebate scheme, life support rebate, medical cooling and heating concessions, home energy emergency assistance scheme, and the COVID-19 household utility relief.
Why Enova Energy Australia?
As Australia’s first community-based energy retailer, Enova is a unique provider. It’s key selling point is its promise to help customers to shift from fossil fuels towards renewable energy within their own community.
The service provider says it assists towns, regions, and suburbs to control energy supply, decrease costs, and ensure local circulation of the money to improve the local economy.
The company also has a not-for-profit division, Enova Community. It runs events ando uses the funds to provide affordable and easy access to green energy to low-income households.
Is Enova right for you?
That depends on your personal preferences and choice. There are many benefits offered by Enova for environmentally-savvy households, but no energy provider suits all customers. You can compare the usage and supply rates offered by other energy providers in your location. Also, don’t forget to read Enova Energy reviews by current and previous customers while making your decision.