Powershop is an electricity and gas retailer that believes knowledge is power. They do this by putting the power of purchasing energy back into your hands. With an app or online dashboard, you can monitor your usage in real-time and pre-purchase energy packs to help cover the costs. This means you’re less likely to get bill shock and can adjust your usage.
Currently, Powershop Australia serves households and businesses in New South Wales, South East Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. They also provide gas in most of Victoria but not in NSW or South-East QLD.
Owned by Meridian Energy, one of the largest renewable energy generators in Australasia. Both Meridian Energy Australia and Powershop’s operations have been certified as carbon neutral under the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard. The carbon-neutral certification also applies to Powershop’s electricity and gas products as well. So if you sign up with Powershop energy, your energy usage is certified carbon neutral.
How are Powershop rates calculated?
There are many differences between how Powershop does things and other retailers, but they handle rates in a similar way. When it comes to Powershop electricity, their rates include a daily fixed charge and a charge for every kiloWatt hour (kWh) of power you consume. When you log into your Powershop account online or in the app, you can view the current rates that you’re being charged. You’re best to check the Auto Pay rate, which is determined based on your location and your meter set up and are the rates charged unless you utilise the Powerpacks. If you choose to purchase Powerpacks, your discounts are calculated based on this Auto Pay rate.
Powershop tariffs for residential or business users can be calculated in three ways:
- Anytime tariff - You’re charged a single rate irrespective of when you use power. You pay a daily supply charge and per kWh usage charge that’s the same throughout the day.
- Controlled load tariff - You’re charged a different rate for specific equipment such as water heaters if you can run them when the load on the network is lower.
- Flexible tariff - You pay three different rates depending on the time of day you consume power. You pay a daily supply charge and different per kWh energy rate for peak, off-peak and shoulder times.
When you’re looking to make a Powershop rates comparison with other energy retailers, bear in mind the fees Powershop doesn’t charge. They don’t charge any transaction or credit card fees, and most of their offers have no exit fees.
Which Powershop plans will suit me best?
If you’re looking for a Powershop plan, they offer ongoing contracts and packages called Powerpacks you can buy based on your estimated energy usage. Some Powerpacks are designed to help you save. While others offer you the opportunity to help your community or the environment. The good thing about Powerpacks is they don't expire, and you can purchase multiple packs at once to cover longer periods. Powershop will then apply the cheapest Powerpackfirst.
If you purchase a Powerpack and find new packs with greater discounts on offer. You only need to call the Powershop contact number, and they’ll update the discount for you.
Powershop provides a ‘power organiser’ on the Balance page when you log into your account online or in the app. This organiser displays how much longer your Powerpack is likely to last based on your current usage.
Check the different Powerpacks’ details and read Powershop reviews to decide whether it’s the right option for you. Below are some of the Powerpacks currently available:
The Powershop Mega Pack
This package covers three months of your power usage as estimated by Poweshop. You can purchase a Mega Pack once every 60 days, and Poweshop will work out the charges based on their estimate of your usage over the three months.
The Mega Pack may last a little less or more than three months, depending on your actual usage. The longer you are a customer of Powershop, the better they’re able to estimate your energy usage. If your Mega Pack finishes before three months, you can buy any other Powerpacks on offer to make up the shortfall. If it lasts longer than three months, then any unused amount rolls over to the next cycle.
Top Up Packs
Powershop Top Up packs don’t include a discount. If you forget to purchase another Powerpack, a Top Up package at your Auto Pay rate will be automatically purchased for you. You’ll receive an electricity bill which will tell you when the amount will be debited from your account.
GreenPower Powerpack
This Powerpack enables you to buy GreenPower, which is renewable energy accredited by the Australian Government. You pay a premium of 3.7 c/kWh to make this environmentally friendly option 100% green power.
Future Savings Packs
You buy these packs to cover your future energy usage, and you also save money. Powershop’s Future Saving Powerpacks are created to save more the further into the future you purchase the Powerpacks.
Power Saver
This is the super discounted Powerpack that you can buy anytime. You usually save about 4% on the Auto Pay rates and choose how much you wish to purchase.
Monthly Specials
You should keep a lookout for these special offers that are usually available a couple of times a month for a limited time and amount of energy.
GreenPower Saver
The GreenPower Saver Powerpack offers you a discount on the Auto Pay rate, but like the GreenPower Powerpack includes a premium to cover the costs of making it 100% green energy. On this Powerpack, you pay a premium of 3.7 c/kWh to cover the cost of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that Powershop buys on your behalf. Each REC signifies one MWh (or 1000 kWh) of renewable electricity generated by a 100% GreenPower accredited renewable energy source. When you buy GreenPower Saver Powerpacks, you make an environmentally conscious choice to opt for renewable energy with no net greenhouse gas emissions.
If you have a business and purchase this Powershop energy pack, it can be counted towards your company’s carbon-neutral certification. If 10% or more of the annual electricity consumed by your business is GreenPower, you’re eligible to use the ‘GreenPower customer’ logo on your marketing materials. This helps to showcase your commitment to sustainability.
If you purchase 50% or more GreenPower, you can list your business on the GreenPower government website. Find out more details about this by calling the Powershop contact number 1800 728 197.
Your Community Energy
Your Community Energy is a program that Powershop has been running since 2016. The program involves identifying projects creating a positive impact on the community and environment. Customers wishing to support these projects can purchase a Your Community Energy Powerpack that includes a premium of 6.6c/kWh. Powershop pools all the premiums collected from customers and distributes them to the charities, groups or philanthropic businesses executing the chosen projects.
As part of this program in 2019, Powershop gave a grant to the Reef Restoration Foundation to build the Powershop Coral Nursery off Fitzroy Island in Cairns. Thanks to this initiative, almost 500 new corals have found homes on the Great Barrier Reef.
Auto Pay
If you haven’t bought any of the discount Powerpacks, you’re automatically charged your default rate at the end of your billing cycle. A Green Auto Pay option includes a premium of 3.7 c/kWh to support the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
Gas Saver
You can also get your gas supply from Powershop. With this Powershop gas pack, you get a discount on the Gas Auto Pay rate and the flexibility to buy just as much as you need.
Gas Mega Pack
Like the electricity Mega Pack, when you pay for Powershop gas supply with the Gas Mega Pack, you get two months worth of gas with discounts off the Auto Pay rates. Purchasing this Powerpack can help you save more money.
Gas Auto Pay
As with the electricity Auto Pay, you’ll be charged your Auto Pay rate if you have not bought a discounted Powerpack for gas.
If you have any queries, you can contact Powershop on the details below:
- Powershop phone number 1800 462 668
- Powershop email [email protected]
How to cancel a Powershop account?
Switching to a new provider is pretty simple. You just need to find the plan and provider that suits you and sign up with them. Once you’ve signed up with your new provider, they’ll let Powershop know, and they’ll refund you any Powerpacks or credit you have with them or send a final bill. You don’t need to worry about Powershop exit fees as they don’t charge any.