1st Energy
1st Energy is a relatively small energy provider in Australia. Read all about them and find out how green they are here through Savvy’s energy review.
Fact checked
1st Energy is a small Australian energy retailer formed in 2014 to provide value-based energy solutions. Its head office is in Melbourne, although its call centre is Brisbane-based. However, Shell now has a non-controlling 30% stake in 1st Energy through ERM Power, which Shell bought out in 2019. 1st Energy offers gas and electricity plans in five states of Australia, plus bundled NBN internet plans.
This combined utility provider was the first competitor to offer alternative electricity plans in competition to Aurora Energy in Tasmania when the energy market was opened up in that state in 2019. It now offers monthly billing as standard, and offers to price-match a competitor if a customer finds a better deal with a different energy retailer.
In which states or territories does 1st Energy offer energy plans?
Currently, 1st Energy offers internet, gas and electricity and solar energy plans in:
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
How does 1st Energy compare in size to other energy retailers?
According to the Australian Energy Regulator’s latest report (Q2 2022/2023), 1st Energy now has nearly 24,000 retail electricity customers, and they command around 0.40% of the electricity market share.
What are the pros and cons of using 1st Energy as your energy provider?
- There’s a range of gas and electricity plans on offer
- Discounts are offered for paying on time and by direct debit
- No credit card fees
- No exit fees if you want to switch providers
- Bundled plans available
- Dedicated solar plans are available
- No fixed-cost plans are available
- Offered rebates are spread over 12 months and are not supplied immediately
- Poor environmental record
- No discounts for bundled plans
- Below-average feed-in solar tariffs on some plans
How is 1st Energy rated as a green energy provider?
According to Greenpeace’s Green Electricity Guide, 1st Energy has a score of 3.54/10 overall. This comparatively low score is due to the fact they still buy their power from the open market, where the majority of energy producers rely on coal and gas. They have also not taken a strong stand against climate change. *
Their scores for these specific criteria are:
- Providing clean, renewable energy: 30%
- Ending coal use by 2030: 0%
- Halting fossil fuel expansion: 100%
- Support for new renewable energy: 6%
- Pollution & environmental harm: 50%
- Transparency in marketing: 30%
*Information from Greenpeace’s Green Electricity Guide is current as of August 2023, but subject to change
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Common questions asked about 1st Energy
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