Traditional energy retailers buy electricity wholesale, add a markup, and sell it as a fixed-rate tariff. They manage price volatility on the customer’s behalf, but the customer pays for that security.
By contrast, providers like Amber Electric grant households direct access to wholesale prices, which change every 30 minutes, based on grid supply and demand. Customers swap price stability for flexibility, meaning they can save big when wholesale prices drop, especially during periods of abundant solar and wind.
Amber charges only a modest flat monthly subscription, around $22–$25, rather than a markup on electricity usage. Let’s take a look at why many Aussies with battery storage are making the switch.
Why battery storage changes the game
Pairing wholesale pricing with a home battery (or EV) lets homeowners shift or sell energy strategically:
- Charge when wholesale prices are low, typically during midday when renewables dominate, capturing cheap power.
- Discharge when prices spike, often in evening peaks. Amber reports some customers earned $100+ in a single evening, and some even $500+ in a day.
- Amber’s SmartShift technology automates this process, optimising battery use without manual intervention.
- If discharging into the grid, homeowners can fetch true wholesale feed-in rates, far higher than standard retailer offers.
Key wholesale electricity options for homeowners
1. Amber Electric
- One of only two residential providers offering direct access to wholesale prices via a small monthly subscription, not a traditional markup.
- Offers real-time pricing and 12-hour forecasts through its app.
“After 3 years with Amber, we are quite happy paying very little for electricity, a lot of time we end up with a credit. With a bit of effort on when to use power, we can save. The Amber app can do all the work for you or you can manually control it”, an enthusiastic customer noted.
2. Energy Locals
- Offers wholesale electricity pricing through membership plans like “Online Member” and “Local Member,” available across NSW, Victoria, QLD, SA, ACT, and TAS.
- Charges a monthly membership fee; sometimes offers incentives such as fee waivers for the first six months.
- Known for transparency, carbon offsetting, and smart-meter integration.
3. LocalVolts
- It’s fully transparent and avoids markups—users set or accept rates themselves, with real-time data and forecasts guiding decisions.
- Not a retailer in the conventional sense, but it operates as a peer-to-peer electricity marketplace. Homeowners can buy or sell electricity at wholesale (or negotiated) prices directly with others.
At a glance:
| Provider | Model type | Member fee? | Regions covered | Unique features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amber Electric | Direct wholesale access | Yes, flat monthly fee | NSW, ACT, VIC, SA, SE QLD | Real-time pricing, forecasts, battery/EV integration |
| Energy Locals | Wholesale via membership | Yes, membership fee | NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, ACT, TAS | Price transparency, carbon offset, smart-meter integration |
| LocalVolts | Peer-to-peer marketplace | Platform access | ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS | Users set prices, no middlemen or hidden markups |
Why this matters for homeowners
- Higher financial returns: Traditional retailers, or VPPs from big players like AGL or Origin, often under-compensate households and retain the upside. Amber empowers customers to earn the full value
- Support for renewables: By consuming when renewable generation is high, households help shift demand and encourage more renewables in the energy mix
- Automation does the heavy lifting: Amber’s predictive pricing tools (developed with CSIRO) offer accurate 12-hour forecasts and automate charging/discharging for optimal savings
- Greater control and transparency: Customers see real-time pricing and manage their own energy assets without opaque contracts or hidden fees
- Policy tailwinds: From July 1, 2025, federal subsidies of up to 30 per cent for home battery installations make this model even more compelling, boosting adoption and expanding savings potential
Summary: Wholesale vs retail
| Feature | Traditional retailer | Amber Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Fixed rate with markup | Real-time wholesale +/- subscription |
| Automation | None | SmartShift for batteries/EVs |
| Control | Retailer controls assets (e.g., VPP) | Customer retains control and earnings |
| Rewards | Modest, fixed payments | Full access to market upside (and downside) |
Making the switch might make you money
If you’re a homeowner with a battery or EV, Amber Electric offers a smarter, cheekier way to power your home, and maybe even make a bit of money in the process. It puts control, savings, and transparency back in your hands. Compared to Energy Locals, Amber’s automation and tech edge could be a real game-changer.
And with generous government battery subsidies now in play, it’s a clever time to get stuck in.
