Power move sees electricity bills plunge as low as $8 a month

Electricity bills plunged to as low as $8 a month for Aussie homeowners in residential power plant trials set to be rolled out nationally.

The latest Maroochy Quays virtual power plant launched Monday by developer GemLife is part of a plan to see over 10,000 homes use VPPs where communities produce up to 90 per cent of their own energy.

Electricity bills plunged as low as $8 a month for homeowners in power plant trials across residential estates which will be rolled out nationally to over 9,000 more homes.

This as developer GemLife launched its latest virtual power plant at Maroochy Quays on the Sunshine Coast on Monday, part of a plan to see over 10,000 homes use virtual power plants (VPP) over the next six years.

The move could spur more new residential developments to consider sustainable energy options. GemLife CEO Adrian Pulijich said “we hope the broader industry will follow suit”.

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GemLife CEO Adrian Pulijich and Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson at Monday’s launch.

He said the systems which see communities produce up to 90 per cent of their own energy were already operating across GemLife Maroochy Quays, GemLife Bribie Island and GemLife Palmwoods resorts in South East Queensland for over 700 homes.

He plans to oversee over $75m in such investments to do the same over the next six years across 11 existing and new communities in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

“The VPP shields residents from soaring electricity prices, offering bill consistency, which is vitally important for our residents, the majority of who are on fixed incomes”.

The energy is stored in massive power banks.

He said over 700 homes were already on VPPs at no cost to them, with all existing GemLife communities to go the same way by the end of 2024.

The system includes a network of homes and community facilities with rooftop solar plus a bank of commercial-grade battery connected via smart AI-driven technology, which is capable of predicting the demand for energy use, by monitoring weather conditions and optimal charge times.

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GemLife Palmwoods residents Eric and Margaret Martin said the massive reductions in power bills were a relief.

GemLife Palmwoods residents Eric and Margaret Martin said the initiative plus their age discount was a relief.

“Our bills have been very small and once the senior’s discount has been applied, we’ve had nothing to pay at all,” Mrs Martin said. “It’s such a relief not having to worry about using the air conditioner when it’s hot and fearing what your electricity bill will be at the end of the month.”

The initiative is expected to be rolled out to over 9,000 more homes by GemLife.

Mr Martin said the community initiative meant they could “enjoy the benefit of electricity savings through the VPP without having to think about any costs associated with upgrading or maintaining the system ourselves”.

Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson said residents there, like everywhere else across the country, were facing rising cost of living challenges.

“That is why it is so important to take the time to recognise the innovation and commitment of organisation’s such as GemLife, whose programs look to be part of the solution and support our communities.”

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