AGL has announced that more customers are chasing greener energy options as the provider revealed it now offers over 50,000 plans, products and services that are certified carbon neutral.
Following the company’s plans to have all products offering a carbon neutral option by the end of June 2021, AGL states it’s been overwhelmed with support from customers wanting greener energy.
AGL Chief Customer Officer Christine Corbett said it demonstrates the commitment from its customers who are actively seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.
“By making certified carbon neutral products available, AGL is providing customers with choice and flexibility when it comes to offsetting their own carbon footprint,” Ms Corbett said.
“When we launched our Climate Statement, we committed to actions that would help accelerate the energy transition, including offering a certified carbon neutral option on all products for our customers by the end of June 2021.”
According to AGL’s Climate Statement, the company is not only committed to providing greener energy options, but it’s also continuing to invest in new sources of electricity supply while responsibly transitioning its energy portfolio.
Ms Corbett added: “Right across the country, customers are choosing certified carbon neutral electricity and gas with New South Wales and Victoria leading the change. We are excited for the opportunities and innovations that are ahead and believe that the commitments we are making are important for our community.”
While customers on residential electricity and gas plans already have access to carbon neutral energy, from June 2021, carbon neutral energy will be available to all AGL customers, no matter the product.
To access carbon neutral energy options with AGL, new customers can simply specify they would like to do so when signing up.
Existing customers however, will need to contact the retailer to ensure they’re switched over to a carbon neutral plan.
Carbon neutral energy may come at an additional cost to consumers. For more information, please visit the AGL website.
AGL Electricity Prices
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for NSW. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for Victoria. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for SE QLD. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex energy network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for South Australia. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Carbon Controversy for AGL
In light of AGL’s eco-friendly news, Greenpeace has shared a new report, detailing the unlikelihood of the energy juggernaut reaching its targeted net zero emissions unless the retailer ditches its use of coal.
In the scathing report, Greenpeace states that AGL is currently Australia’s biggest producer of greenhouse gas emissions due to its ‘ageing, unreliable coal-burning power stations’.
According to Greenpeace, despite the provider’s commitment to greener and more sustainable technologies, only 10 per cent of the company’s energy is generated by renewable sources.
Greenpeace Australian Pacific Senior Campaigner, Glenn Walker said in a statement it’s vital for AGL to stop using coal as an energy source if we are to ever reach net zero emissions in Australia.
Mr Walker said: “AGL is the biggest energy provider in the country. It dominates the National Electricity Market, supplying energy to millions of households and businesses. We can’t shift to net-zero emissions, at any time, without a renewable-powered electricity grid. This is the lynchpin upon which decarbonisation of other high-polluting sectors, like transport, must rely in order to reduce emissions. There’s no point ramping up our fleet of electric cars if they’re plugging in to a grid fuelled by coal to power up. We can’t get to net-zero emissions without AGL coming to the party. The company is the foundation stone to tackling the climate crisis.”
What does net zero emissions mean?
Reaching net zero emissions is when the number of greenhouse gas produced is equivalent to the amount being removed from the atmosphere. This can be achieved through retailers opting to invest in sustainable energy solutions, such as GreenPower, or carbon offsetting its customers’ power usage by purchasing carbon offset units or certificates.
What is carbon offsetting?
Carbon offsetting is one way in which bill-payers can go carbon neutral. Essentially your electricity or gas provider will take a look at the total emissions from your electricity usage and buy carbon credits from accredited offset projects up to or equal to your total emissions. These projects can be anything from regeneration plants and hydro dams to solar and wind turbine farms. These projects help to reduce and negate the release of CO2, therefore balancing out the CO2 released from household energy consumption.
Does carbon neutral mean higher energy prices?
Not necessarily, although this will depend on the energy retailer. Some companies may charge an additional fee for carbon offsetting, where others like Powershop, EnergyAustralia, Energy Locals and OVO Energy provide carbon offset for no extra cost. However, it’s possible these companies may have higher supply and usage rates on plans to offset this additional cost, which is why it’s always best to check the fine print.
Which providers offer carbon neutral energy plans?
The plans below offer carbon offset options to customers. Click on your state to see which providers offer these plans.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that have a carbon offsets option available. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision. The cost of carbon neutral programs may vary from retailer to retailer.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that have a carbon offsets option available. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision. The cost of carbon neutral programs may vary from retailer to retailer.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that have a carbon offsets option available. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision. The cost of carbon neutral programs may vary from retailer to retailer.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that have a carbon offsets option available. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision. The cost of carbon neutral programs may vary from retailer to retailer.
How does carbon neutral energy work?
Your provider will offset your energy emissions on your behalf by purchasing the same or equal amount of carbon credits to your energy emissions. This is usually only offered on a specific product or through an opt-in program, so in order to access carbon offsets, you may need to sign up to additional plans, programs or products from your retailer to be eligible.
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