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Amber Energy offers wholesale energy prices, promoting renewable energy usage and lowering prices. It’s available in New South Wales, Victoria, South-East Queensland, South Australia, and the ACT.
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Amber Energy is a newer player in the energy market, offering something different: access to wholesale energy prices. Amber’s focus is on helping households tap into Australia’s shift toward renewable energy by linking them directly to the wholesale cost of electricity. Their approach? Motivate people to use energy when there’s more renewable power available on the grid resulting in lower Amber prices.
Amber’s energy rate model is designed to attract customers who might be skeptical of traditional providers. With an emphasis on transparency, they promote their service as a cheaper, greener option, but is that always the case? Amber electricity rates are available in New South Wales, Victoria, South-East Queensland, South Australia, and the ACT. If you’re wondering if Amber’s model suits your energy needs, here’s what to know
Average of 4.5 Rating among users
Unlike most energy retailers, Amber doesn’t set fixed electricity rates. Instead, they pass on wholesale costs that change every 30 minutes. So, when demand is high, rates go up; when demand drops, so do prices. Customers pay a $22 monthly subscription fee to access these fluctuating wholesale rates, which Amber says it includes in the daily supply charge.
While this setup can help people save during low-demand times, the flip side is that wholesale prices can spike, and Amber’s model passes these changes on to customers. Amber does, however, include a price protection cap to prevent bills from exceeding a certain limit each quarter.
Amber’s energy model works best for those with a smart meter and who are able to shift usage to off-peak times. Bills are handled monthly through direct debit, and no lock-in contracts mean there’s flexibility if you decide to change providers. Amber also has a standing offer plan that provides fixed rates for customers in NSW, SE Queensland, and SA, though this option doesn’t allow access to wholesale prices.
These electric rates are estimates and may vary depending on network charges in your area. Use a comparison tool or contact CheapBills for an accurate rate comparison and cheaper Amber electric prices.
Plan and Highlights | Price/Year (Estimated) | Reference Price |
Commbank Homeowner: Variable Prices | $1,635 (includes $180 conditional discount) | Equal to reference price |
Commbank Everyday Plus: Variable Prices | $1,665 (includes $150 conditional discount) | Equal to reference price |
Commbank Everyday: Variable Prices | $1,695 (includes $120 conditional discount) | Equal to reference price |
Commbank: Variable Prices | $1,765 (includes $50 conditional discount) | Equal to reference price |
Standing Offer: Fixed Rate | $1,810 | Equal to reference price |
Amber Plan: Variable Wholesale Prices | $1,815 | Equal to reference price |
Plan and Highlights | Price/Year (Estimated) | Comparison to VDO |
Commbank Homeowner: Variable Wholesale Prices | $1,326 (includes $180 discount) | 3% more than VDO |
Commbank Everyday Plus: Variable Wholesale Prices | $1,356 (includes $150 discount) | 3% more than VDO |
Commbank Everyday: Variable Wholesale Prices | $1,386 (includes $120 discount) | 3% more than VDO |
Commbank Welcome: Variable Wholesale Prices | $1,456 (includes $50 discount) | Equal to VDO |
Commbank Variable Prices | $1,494 (includes $50 discount) | 6% more than VDO |
Amber Plan: Variable Wholesale Prices | $1,506 | 3% more than VDO |
Plan and Highlights | Price/Year (Estimated) | Comparison to Reference Price |
Commbank Homeowner: Variable Prices (Includes $180 discount) | $1,795 | 4% less than reference price |
Commbank Everyday Plus: Variable Prices (Includes $150 discount) | $1,825 | 4% less than reference price |
Commbank Everyday: Variable Prices (Includes $120 discount) | $1,855 | 4% less than reference price |
Commbank: Variable Prices (Includes $50 discount) | $1,925 | 4% less than reference price |
Amber Plan: Variable Wholesale Prices | $1,975 | 4% less than reference price |
Standing Offer: Fixed Rate(Includes $22/month membership fee) | $2,067 | Equal to reference price |
Plan and Highlights | Price/Year (Estimated) | Comparison to Reference Price |
Commbank Homeowner: Variable Prices (Includes $180 discount) | $1,975 | 3% less than reference price |
Commbank Everyday Plus: Variable Prices (Includes $150 discount) | $2,005 | 3% less than reference price |
Commbank Everyday: Variable Prices (Includes $120 discount) | $2,035 | 3% less than reference price |
Commbank: Variable Prices (Includes $50 discount) | $2,105 | 3% less than reference price |
Amber Plan: Variable Wholesale Prices | $2,155 | 3% less than reference price |
Standing Offer: Fixed Rate (Includes $22/month membership fee) | $2,231 | Equal to reference price |
For solar users, Amber power offers wholesale feed-in tariffs, giving customers market-based rates for excess solar energy sent back to the grid. This means that feed-in tariffs can fluctuate, just like usage rates. With Amber, even solar users get access to wholesale pricing, making their solar feed-in tariffs flexible based on market rates. Amber’s model pays customers wholesale prices for any extra power they send back to the grid. They claim this can be comparable to what large fossil fuel generators earn. So, like Amber’s standard rates, the feed-in tariff you receive will shift depending on the time and demand when your solar system exports electricity.
For an idea of what these feed-in tariffs typically look like, Amber shares recent estimates for each distribution area based on the past year’s wholesale prices:
In Victoria, Amber provides the minimum feed in tariff of 3.3c/kWh, which is mandated by the state’s energy regulator.
Amber has partnered with CommBank to make renewable energy more accessible. Through this deal, eligible CommBank customers can receive up to $180 in credit over six months, depending on their plan. This offer is available in NSW, Victoria, SE Queensland, and SA, and requires a CommBank-linked account for billing.
Amber makes it easy to get in touch or manage your billing. Here’s how to reach them for any questions, help with your account or to read an Amber electric review:
Amber gives customers multiple ways to handle bill payments:
Amber’s app gives customers real-time insight into energy usage and prices, helping them shift their energy consumption to cheaper, greener periods.
The Amber app is free to download, though it doesn’t currently support personal updates or payments. Customers can still access their billing history and past energy usage, making it a handy tool for managing and understanding energy costs in real-time.
If you are considering moving electricity and gas plans to Amber , visit www.amber.com.au or call the Amber Energy phone number, 1800 531 907, to discuss your options and connect now.
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