Momentum Energy’s VEN leverages the Enosi Powertracer Platform to facilitate the seamless virtual transfer of the benefits of locally generated solar energy across Port of Brisbane sites.

Related article: Momentum Energy incentivises customers to quit gas

The VEN enables commercial and industrial customers to virtually share the benefits of their excess solar between multiple sites, financially offsetting their energy consumption from the grid. The VEN will soon be available to small business customers as well.

Momentum’s VEN is particularly suited for organisations that produce more solar than they can use at a single location and want to ‘share’ that across locations that can’t host a solar array, that want to reduce power costs with solar, and that prefer to trade their own solar than purchase and transfer Large Scale Generation Certificates (LGCs).

The Port of Brisbane is Momentum’s first Virtual Energy Network customer. When it built its International Cruise Terminal in 2020, it installed an 800kW rooftop solar system that generated more electricity than it could use at the passenger terminal.

Under the VEN, Port of Brisbane can now virtually share the benefits of that locally generated solar across its other PBPL-operated sites at the Port.

Instead of Port of Brisbane receiving a small feed-in tariff, Momentum financially offsets that excess solar production against the energy used at other PBPL-operated sites, which has led to significant energy cost savings and greater utilisation of solar generated.

Momentum Energy managing director Lisa Chiba said that while the Port of Brisbane VEN was about maximising the benefits of an existing solar installation, other businesses might utilise a VEN to invest in larger solar arrays than originally planned.

“With a faster return on investment, Momentum’s VEN might incentivise C&I customers to invest in solar on a much larger scale than they normally would,” she said.

Related article: Adelaide Airport to almost triple rooftop solar system

Participation in the VEN is currently open to eligible commercial and industrial customers who have an energy contract with Momentum. In the Port of Brisbane’s case, they have a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) through which they purchase renewable energy certificates (LGCs) from the Granville Harbour Wind Farm in Tasmania.

Momentum Energy is owned by Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s largest generator of renewable energy.

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Momentum Energy will cover the gas abolishment fee of $242 for Victorian customers who work with Melbourne-based business Goodbye Gas to fully electrify their homes.

Related article: Victoria to phase out gas in new homes from 2024

The abolishment fee of $242 (including GST) will be paid as a credit on the customer’s final gas bill and only applies to existing gas customers who engage with Goodbye Gas to fully electrify their homes.

Momentum Energy is the mainland retailer of Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s largest generator of renewable energy. Momentum has around 130,000 electricity customers in the National Energy Market and around 70,000 gas customers in Victoria.

“It might seem strange for a gas retailer to be incentivising its own customers to transition away from gas, but Momentum wants to see more of our customers living fully electric lives—for their wallet, for the planet and to support Australia’s net zero carbon emissions goals,” Momentum Energy managing director Lisa Chiba said.

“Going all-electric—particularly when it’s combined with adding solar panels—is one of the most impactful changes individual consumers can make to help the planet.

“This is an entirely voluntary program and we will continue to support our customers who keep using gas. But given the long-term shift to decarbonise the grid, the argument for electrification will get even stronger as this becomes a reality.”

Goodbye Gas director Peter Steele said it was a significant development for a mid-sized retailer like Momentum to be encouraging its customers to switch from gas.

“Momentum Energy’s forward-thinking offer removes a key cost barrier—the abolishment fee—and we are excited to be supporting their customers to make the switch,” he said.

Related article: ACT passes law to ban new fossil fuel gas connections

According to Rewiring Australia, the average running costs of gas and petrol homes is $5,300 per year, while an electrified home with rooftop solar has running costs of about $1,850 per year. That covers electricity, heating and cooling, cooking and vehicle costs.

In terms of emissions, research by the International Energy Agency shows that just switching to a hot water heat pump from a gas boiler can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, even when running on emissions-intensive electricity.

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The plan involves a raft of initiatives to measure, reduce and offset emissions across Hydro Tasmania, its energy retailer, Momentum Energy, and its consulting business, Entura.

Related article: Richard Bolt appointed chair of Hydro Tasmania

Hydro Tasmania CEO Ian Brooksbank said the company was already one of the lowest emitters in the sector, had significantly reduced emissions over the past few years, and was committed to doing even more.

“Hydro Tasmania has a proud history of sustainability, and our renewable energy is helping the state achieve its own net zero targets,” Brooksbank said.

“Committing to our own journey towards net zero emissions is the next step in our story. Our action plan is redefining the way we generate, distribute, and consume electricity, so we can address the impacts of climate change and help keep our planet healthy for future generations.”

Activities to reduce emissions include replacing passenger vehicles with electric vehicles, improving energy efficiency in buildings and power stations, and reducing reliance on diesel on the Bass Strait Islands. Remaining emissions will be offset, with a priority on purchasing Tasmanian carbon credits.

Hydro Tasmania has already started the complex task of measuring scope 3 emissions, so it can devise further emission reduction strategies.

Momentum Energy, the Hydro Tasmania-owned mainland retailer, was rated 4.5 in the 2022 Greenpeace Green Electricity Guide. Its managing director Lisa Chiba said sustainability was an important point of difference for many consumers in choosing their electricity retailer.

“Renewable energy and sustainability are in Momentum’s DNA. We’re determined to support Australia’s drive to net zero by providing the education and products our customers, both large and small, need to help them reduce emissions and switch to renewable energy,” Chiba said.

Entura managing director Tammy Chu said the company played a unique role, taking expert skills and knowledge honed over a century on Tasmania’s hydro schemes, to the rest of the world.

Related article: Spotlight On: Hydro Tasmania CEO Ian Brooksbank

“Entura works in Australia and around the world helping communities to transition to renewable energy and reduce their carbon emissions,” Chu said.

Brooksbank said Hydro Tasmania would continue to investigate, track and report greenhouse gas emissions and progress towards net zero, communicating openly on challenges and solutions.

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By the end of next month, more than 40 Tasmanians will have been employed in customer-facing roles in Cambridge previously carried out in Melbourne.

Premier Peter Gutwein and Energy Minister Guy Barnett today visited Cambridge – which already houses Momentum’s phone-based sales centre – to welcome new employees and meet existing staff.

Hydro Tasmania CEO Steve Davy said recruitment had been boosted by a hugely successful open day held at Cambridge in December, with more than 150 people attending, and more than 110 attending an open day today, with recruitment campaigns continuing into February.

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“When you add the more than 70 relocated jobs to the existing 20 call centre jobs we have here, that makes nearly 100 Tasmanian employees out of a total Momentum Energy workforce of 300,” Mr Davy said.

“Momentum Energy is proud of our Tasmanian heritage and ownership and it’s very exciting to be able to deliver career opportunities to the people of Tasmania.

“It’s particularly pleasing that we’ve been able to create jobs for some people affected by the retrenchments at the Vodafone call centre.

“Our new employees are finding that Momentum is a fantastic place to work: we offer flexibility, lots of support and a great work/life balance. And we know that our customers love finding out that they’re talking to someone in Hobart, not in another country.”

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Mr Davy said the new jobs highlighted the benefit to Tasmanians of Momentum Energy being a strong and successful mainland retail business.

Anyone interested in a position can view the job listings here.

Momentum Energy will continue to have a strong presence in Melbourne, to ensure it continues to thrive in that competitive market and remains close to its customers on the mainland.

The business is not allowed to retail electricity or gas in Tasmania, except on the Bass Strait islands.

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More than 2,500 Momentum Energy customers who qualified for concession discounts were allegedly overcharged more than $203,000 between July 2017 and May 2018.

Essential Services Commission (ESV) announced the penalties in late October. ESC chairperson Kate Symons says it isn’t the first time the company hasn’t followed the rules.

“This is another case of Momentum letting down vulnerable customers for whom receiving a bill higher than they were expecting would have been a shock,” she said.

“To then not have the mistake rectified quickly would have only added to the stress.”

Ms Symons says it highlights the commission’s focus on matters where Victorians face harm.

“We have taken action in relation to 392 affected concession holders, including veterans pension and healthcare card holders, who were not notified of the error within 10 business days,” she said.

On top of the $900,000 penalty, Momentum has to pay back more than $23,000 to former customers who have yet to be reimbursed. More than 2,000 customers have already been repaid.

In August, the commission found 850 Momentum customers were entitled to compensation of more than $500,000 after the company failed to inform them they could be disconnected remotely.

In June the commission published its compliance and enforcement priorities for 2019–20 with a focus on restoring trust in the energy market, including alleged cases of overcharging.

The $900,000 penalty is the second highest ever set by the commission.

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The company has also agreed to an enforceable undertaking to pay back all affected customers.

Chairperson Kate Symons says this is one of the highest penalties ever imposed by the commission, and the size of the penalty reflects the seriousness of the commission’s concerns over the behaviour.

“This isn’t the first time that Momentum Energy has had to take part in an enforceable undertaking and these repeated incidents have let down Victorians who deserve better treatment.”  

In August, ESD News reported Momentum Energy would compensate 850 customers after the company cut their power after issuing them a notice missing a clause required by regulation.

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The notice, issued to customers in Victoria, omitted a sentence explaining that customers with a smart meter could be disconnected remotely.

Momentum Energy has given an undertaking to the Essential Services Commission (ESC) regarding compensating customers (current and former) who were disconnected after receiving the defective notice.

Momentum Energy managing director Amy Childs said, “While the original error was disappointing, Momentum notified the ESC when we became aware of the issue. Like the ESC, we are committed to ensuring a fair outcome for energy consumers. We understand these are the rules in a regulated environment and are committed to playing to them.”

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Momentum Energy’s view is that:

• energy retailers are entitled to disconnect customers for non-payment of overdue bills, provided they comply with all regulatory and contractual requirements;
• while the sentence on remote disconnection was not included, the company is confident all other steps in the disconnection process were followed, including required reminders and warnings, and ‘best endeavours’ steps.

Related article: Energy retailers fined over alleged life support breaches

Momentum only disconnects residential and small business customers as a last resort and is proactive in attempting to determine whether those customers may be facing financial difficulties. 

The mistake was the result of human error following a major upgrade of Momentum Energy’s customer relationship management platform in mid-2017. 

Momentum Energy apologises for the error and has fixed the problem.

The total amount of compensation is approximately $533,000, of which around $ 309,000 will be offset against debt or current bills.

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Hydro Tasmania CEO Steve Davy said Amy was the outstanding candidate for the role, a position she has been acting in since the resignation of former MD Paul Geason in May this year.

“Since joining Momentum Energy in January 2016, Amy has played a key role in the company’s strong customer growth in a highly competitive market,” Mr Davy said.

“She is genuinely passionate about doing the right thing by customers and has been integral to launching Momentum’s ‘no discount’ policy for all new customers.”

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Amy said the introduction of the ‘no discount’ policy had set Momentum Energy apart from many other retailers and was introduced well before recent criticisms of the sector by the ACCC.

“Almost 18 months ago, we chose to stop offering discounts to new customers,” she said. “It was pretty tough being one of the only retailers not offering discounts, but we knew it was the right thing to do. So we felt vindicated by the findings of the ACCC earlier this year.

“The truth is, the retail energy industry has been far too slow to change, and hasn’t always acted in the best interests of the customer.

“It’s time consumers came first – and that’s a position I look forward to continuing to champion in this role.”

Amy said Momentum supports any regulation that results in better consumer outcomes – but regulation on its own is not enough.

Related article: Vic Gov announces abolition of standing energy offers

“The industry needs dramatic culture change if consumers are to get a better deal,” she said. “I’m thrilled to be leading Momentum Energy as we strive to make power pricing fairer, more transparent and simpler.”

About Amy Childs

Amy Childs joined Momentum Energy in 2016 as the general manager of sales and marketing and was charged with building an integrated sales and marketing team from the ground up.

Amy thrives on building challenger brands in highly competitive markets and in leading complex transformations to deliver outstanding business performance.

Previously, Amy held senior digital and marketing roles at Medibank, ahm, Red Energy, Meridian Energy and Kiwibank.

Momentum Energy retails electricity in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, ACT and on the Bass Strait islands, as well as retailing gas in Victoria. Momentum Energy is 100 per cent owned by Hydro Tasmania.

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Simon Downes of Canstar Blue said consumers are given the impression energy plans with big discounts offer better value.

“Some genuinely provide competitive value,” he said.

“The only way you can be sure you’re getting a good deal is by comparing the usage and supply charges of providers.”

Canstar used energy consumption statistics from the Australian Energy Regulator to determine which were the best deals for a five-person household, in Sydney on the Ausgrid network.

Overall, Momentum Energy and Red Energy were found to provide the best value with 2 per cent and 10 per cent off respectively.

The highest discounts were from Dodo Power and Gas (20 per cent) and Energy Australia (18 per cent) with Red Energy not far behind. The discount is applied when the customer pays their bill on time or via direct debit.

Victorian energy suppliers are more competitive.

Canstar Blue compared 11 different electricity retailers in Victoria, and all but one of them offered 28 per cent or more off usage charges or entire bills for paying on time, by direct debit or both.

Momentum Energy was the exception, offering a relatively low 2 per cent discount, but it worked out to be one of the cheapest options.

In Queensland, the market is less competitive, with only seven providers in the market, and an annual difference between the cheapest and most expensive being $50.

Likewise South Australia, which has only six providers and the difference between the cheapest and most expensive being $25 per annum.

“These high discount offers put consumers in a position where if, for whatever reason, they fail to meet the conditions, they will be left paying a far higher amount,” Mr Downes said.

“In addition, these offers typically only last for 12 months.”

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Momentum is a retailer of gas and electricity in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, and the ACT. However, the ACCC said it was concerned a multi-media advertising campaign by Momentum was misleading, as it suggested the retailer generated and supplied renewable electricity.

Television, radio, print and social media marketing used phrases including, “we generate energy out of thin air”, and “Powered by Hydro Tasmania, all our electricity is 100 per cent renewable”. Momentum’s television advertising also featured footage of a hydroelectricity dam.

Momentum is owned by Hydro Tasmania, a generator of hydroelectricity in Tasmania. However, like other energy retailers, Momentum supplies its customers with electricity from the National Electricity Market (NEM).

The energy retailer also stated on its website that “for every bit of power you use, the equivalent amount of renewable energy is fed directly into the National Electricity Market by our parent company, Hydro Tasmania”. However, the ACCC said purchasing electricity from Momentum had no direct effect upon the amount of renewable electricity, which Hydro Tasmania supplied in the NEM.

“These sorts of claims may mislead consumers to buy a product thinking it is a ‘greener’ option than it really is. Such conduct not only harms consumers but also disadvantages competitors who may, for example offer accredited GreenPower plans that provide a financial incentive for new renewable electricity generation,” ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

The ACCC’s Infringement Notice regime allows for alleged minor contraventions of Australian Consumer Law to be dealt with expeditiously. However, paying the infringement notices did not constitute an admission by Momentum to a breach of consumer law.

Hydro Tasmania CEO Steve Davy said under the current circumstances, and with energy supply in Tasmania the number one priority, the business had chosen to comply with the infringement notices.

“Momentum believed strongly its customers were entitled to know it is part of Australia’s largest renewable energy business. The advertising campaign in question was based around this proposition,” he said.

“On occasion people will have different opinions about what advertising conveys. We have now addressed those aspects of the campaign that may have caused confusion.

“While we are disappointed with the outcome, Hydro Tasmania remains committed to the Momentum Energy business and values the role it plays in supporting renewable energy, with its profits returning to Tasmania.”

All material relating to the original Momentum campaign has been withdrawn or removed.

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Mr Davy was previously Hydro Tasmania’s chief commercial officer and has been with the business since for around eight years.

Hydro Tasmania chairman Dr David Crean said Mr Davy has played a key role in the transition of the business into the National Electricity Market.

“He was selected from a talented pool of internal and external candidates after an extensive process undertaken by the board,” Dr Crean said.

“The board believed he was the best choice, in particular to handle the many complex Issues and regulatory risks presented by the current national market in which we operate.

“As the head of our Commercial business, Steve has been at the forefront of Hydro Tasmania’s shift to becoming an integrated energy business that enhances the value of our renewable energy while seeing the benefits returning to the state.”

Mr Davy has overseen the company’s commercial operations that include supporting mainland retailing, contract and spot trading, major customer negotiations, supplier arrangements and a range of operational activities.

Currently the chairman of Hydro Tasmania’s mainland retail business Momentum Energy, he has also previously served as chair of the Australia Financial Markets Association Environmental Products Committee. Currently, Mr Davy is also the representative for Generators on the National Electricity Market’s Reliability Panel.

He replaces Roy Adair, who left the business on June 30, 2013.

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