Why Two Businesses Next Door Can Have Different Energy Costs

At first glance, two neighbouring businesses may appear almost identical. They might operate in the same industry, occupy similar-sized premises, trade during comparable hours and consume similar amounts of energy.

Yet one business could be paying thousands of dollars more each year for electricity and gas than the business next door.

It’s not uncommon for two businesses operating side-by-side to be paying vastly different rates for electricity and gas, even when their energy usage appears similar on the surface.

This is because a business’s energy costs aren’t determined solely by location or consumption. A range of factors can influence what a business ultimately pays, including:

✅ When their energy contract was signed
✅ Which energy retailer they’re with
✅ Their energy consumption profile (how much energy they use)
✅ Whether they’re charged on a flat rate or peak, shoulder and off-peak pricing
✅ The length and terms of their agreement
✅ Their network tariff structure
✅ Whether they’ve recently tested the market

Even small differences in these areas can have a significant impact on energy costs over the life of a contract.

In some cases, a business may simply have secured a contract during a more favourable period in the market. In others, they may have recently gone through a competitive procurement process while their neighbour has remained on the same arrangement for years. The difference in cost isn’t always about using less energy. Often, it’s about procuring it more effectively.

 

In other words, the business next door may not be using less energy than you. They may simply have a different contract, tariff structure, retailer or procurement strategy, and that can make all the difference when it comes to energy costs.

The good news?

Many businesses don’t need to reduce consumption to improve their energy outcomes. Sometimes the biggest opportunity is simply understanding whether your current rates, tariffs and contract structure remain competitive in today’s market.

That’s why benchmarking and regular market reviews are so important.

The business next door might not be using less energy than you. They may just be procuring it differently.

And here’s the even better news.

You don’t need to become an energy expert to find out whether you’re getting a competitive deal.

At Edge Utilities, our Free Energy Savings Review helps businesses of all sizes, from local small-medium enterprises to large national portfolios, benchmark their energy arrangements against current market conditions and identify potential savings opportunities.

If you’re curious whether your current energy arrangements still stack up against today’s market, now is a great time to ask the question. Get in touch with our team today. We’d love to help.

Multi-Site Energy Procurement for Growing Businesses

Multi-site energy procurement can provide significant advantages for growing businesses.

As businesses expand across multiple sites, energy contracts can quickly become fragmented, with different locations operating under different retailers, contract terms, and renewal dates. Without a coordinated strategy, businesses may miss opportunities to leverage their collective buying power and secure more competitive energy rates and contract terms.

One often-overlooked aspect of multi-site energy procurement is site aggregation. By bringing multiple sites together under a coordinated procurement strategy, businesses can strengthen their position in the market and improve commercial outcomes.

The Hidden Value of Multi-Site Energy Procurement through Aggregating Energy Sites

Many businesses establish new sites as they grow, often accepting the energy arrangements available at the time. Over several years, this can result in a portfolio of sites spread across multiple retailers and contract structures.

By aggregating sites under a single procurement strategy, businesses can often:

  • Increase their overall purchasing power
  • Simplify contract management and administration
  • Align contract terms and renewal dates
  • Improve visibility across their energy portfolio
  • Access more competitive retailer pricing and commercial terms

Rather than viewing each site individually, retailers can assess the combined energy consumption of the portfolio, which may create opportunities for stronger commercial outcomes.

A well-considered multi-site energy procurement strategy is essential to optimise business growth.

Why Roll-Ins Matter in Multi-Site Energy Procurement

When a business opens a new location, relocates premises, or acquires an existing site, there is often an opportunity to review how that site fits within its broader energy portfolio.

A roll-in involves incorporating a new site into an existing energy agreement or procurement strategy, rather than allowing it to remain on separate arrangements. When procuring energy as a multi-site organisation, roll-ins are critical in optimising business growth.

This can provide several advantages:

  • Consistent pricing structures across the portfolio
  • Reduced administrative burden
  • Improved forecasting and budgeting
  • Greater flexibility when approaching the market in future tender processes

For growing organisations, each new site represents more than additional energy consumption. It can also strengthen the organisation’s overall position when negotiating with retailers.

A Recent Multi-Site Energy Procurement Case Study

Edge Utilities recently assisted a growing multi-site hospitality group that operated several venues and was preparing to open a new location. Like many expanding businesses, its electricity and gas contracts had been established at different times and across different sites. With our Free Energy Savings Audit, we identified an opportunity to bring the portfolio together, roll the new venue into the broader energy arrangements, and leverage the group’s combined energy consumption when approaching the market.

By reviewing the group’s portfolio as a whole, consolidating sites under a more strategic procurement approach, and engaging the market competitively, we were able to:

  • Deliver annual savings of approximately $22,000
  • Reduce energy costs by 25%
  • Simplify energy management across the portfolio
  • Secure a more competitive commercial outcome for the business

Importantly, the result wasn’t driven solely by finding a lower rate. It was achieved through a portfolio-wide approach that recognised the value of the group’s combined energy footprint.

A growing multi-venue hospitality operator uncovered significant savings by aggregating their sites as part of their multi-site energy procurement strategy.

Don’t Let Growth Create Inefficiencies

As businesses expand, energy arrangements are rarely top of mind. Whilst new sites need to be connected quickly, existing contracts often continue unchanged in the background.

Over time, however, this can lead to missed opportunities.

Businesses that regularly review their energy portfolio, particularly following the addition of new sites, are often better positioned to secure competitive pricing, streamline administration, and ensure their procurement strategy continues to support their growth objectives.

 

Is It Time to Review Your Portfolio?

If your business has opened new locations, is in the process of acquiring additional sites, or simply hasn’t reviewed its energy arrangements in the last 12 months, now may be the right time to assess whether your current strategy is still delivering value.

A structured market review can help identify whether opportunities exist to aggregate sites, roll new locations into existing arrangements, and improve outcomes across your entire portfolio.

Growth doesn’t just create additional energy demand and operational expenses. 

It can also create opportunities to increase buying power, simplify energy management, and secure stronger commercial outcomes for the business as a whole.

Learn how our Free Energy Savings Audit can identify opportunities across your entire energy portfolio, and read more client success stories.

 

Reduce Business Energy Costs: The Question Most Businesses Never Ask

Light Bulb - Electricity

When Did Your Business Last Review Your Energy Contracts?

 

Every year, businesses review payroll, insurance, supplier contracts and operating expenses to ensure they’ve getting value for money. Yet one of the largest operating costs for many businesses often receives far less attention:

Energy.

For businesses looking to reduce business energy costs, the biggest savings opportunities aren’t always found through operational changes or reducing energy consumption.

Sometimes, they come from simply reviewing whether current energy rates remain competitive, and not falling into the trap of automatic contract renewals.

 

The Challenge

The challenge is that energy markets don’t stand still. Retailer pricing changes. Market conditions shift. New offers become available. Yet many businesses continue paying energy rates they agreed to years ago without knowing whether those rates are still competitive.

That’s why one of the most valuable questions any business can ask is:

“If we went to market today, would we get a better outcome?”

 

A Brisbane Café’s Energy Cost Savings Success Story

Recently, our team completed our Free Energy Savings Audit for a thriving cake and café business in Brisbane’s West End. By benchmarking their current arrangement against today’s market, we identified an opportunity to reduce their electricity costs by 16.2% per year, delivering approximately $2,300 in annual energy savings.

Whilst a 16.2% saving is a great result, the insight gained is far more valuable:

Meaningful energy savings aren’t determined by the size of your business. They’re determined by how often you review the market and challenge the assumption that your current arrangement is still the best available.

 

Many businesses simply don’t have the time, resources or specialist expertise to continuously monitor a complex and rapidly changing energy market.

 

That’s where Edge Utilities comes in.

 

A man and woman at a computer

 

How To Reduce Business Energy Costs

Our Free Energy Savings Audit helps businesses:
✅ Benchmark current energy arrangements against the market
✅ Identify potential cost-saving opportunities
✅ Access competitive retailer pricing and offers
✅ Receive independent, expert advice
✅ Understand their options through a transparent, no-cost review

Because every business deserves access to informed energy procurement decisions, regardless of size.

 

Key Takeaway

The real takeaway isn’t that this café reduced its electricity costs by 16.2%.

It’s that they took the time to ask a question many businesses never do:

“Are our current energy arrangements still competitive?”

Many businesses assume the answer is yes. This café discovered otherwise.

Businesses that successfully reduce energy costs aren’t necessarily larger or more sophisticated. They simply make a habit of having their contracts reviewed and keeping an eye on upcoming agreement end dates, challenging automatic renewals, and understanding what the market is offering.

 

That’s where Edge Utilities provides support.

 

Through our Free Energy Savings Audit, we monitor market conditions, benchmark existing arrangements against current retailer offers, and provide independent advice so businesses can make informed procurement decisions with confidence, without needing to become energy experts themselves or disrupting their business operations.

Because the biggest savings opportunities often aren’t found by changing how you use energy.

They’re found by reviewing contracts and pricing arrangements that haven’t been challenged in years.

Savings on my Energy Bills? That’s a good feeling.

 

How You Can Create Savings Opportunities For Your Business

Request your business’ Free Energy Savings Audit: Helping Australian Businesses Reduce Energy Costs – Edge Utilities

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Why Australian Businesses Need to Rethink Their Energy Strategy in 2026

The Australian energy market is evolving rapidly.

While many businesses still focus primarily on securing competitive electricity rates at contract renewal, recent findings from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) suggest that future energy savings will increasingly depend on how and when electricity is used, not just who supplies it.

The AER’s Wholesale Electricity Market Performance Report 2026, released in late August 2026, highlights a fundamental shift occurring across the National Electricity Market (NEM), driven by renewable energy, battery storage, and changing consumption patterns. For small and medium-sized businesses, these changes present both opportunities and challenges.

The NEM Is No Longer One Market

According to the AER, the NEM is increasingly becoming “many markets within each region,” with electricity prices varying significantly depending on the time of day and availability of flexible energy resources.

Historically, businesses were primarily concerned with annual electricity consumption and contract rates. Today, consumption patterns are becoming equally important.

A business operating predominantly during daylight hours may experience a very different cost structure to one operating heavily during the evening peak period, even if both consume the same amount of electricity annually.

This means that understanding your load profile is becoming a critical component of energy management.

Why Timing Matters More Than Ever

One of the key findings of the AER report is that electricity prices remain highly dependent on when demand occurs.

While wholesale prices have generally softened, evening and overnight periods continue to experience higher pricing due to lower solar generation and greater reliance on dispatchable generation sources.

For many SME businesses, this raises an important question:

Could some energy-intensive activities be shifted to lower-cost periods?

Depending on operational requirements, opportunities may exist to optimise the timing of:

  • HVAC operation
  • Water heating
  • Refrigeration management
  • Manufacturing processes
  • Pumping equipment
  • Electric vehicle charging

Even modest changes to operating schedules can deliver measurable savings over time.

Contract Pricing Has Stabilised, But Procurement Still Matters

Following the significant market volatility experienced during the 2022 energy crisis, contract markets have largely stabilised. The AER notes that competition has improved as new renewable generation and battery storage projects have entered the market.

While this is encouraging, businesses should not assume that all retailer offers are equal.

We continue to see significant variation between retailer pricing, contract structures, tariff arrangements, and network cost impacts.

Testing the market prior to renewal remains one of the most effective ways to ensure your business is receiving competitive pricing.

The Growing Importance of Energy Management

Traditionally, energy procurement focused on one key objective: securing the lowest possible energy rate.

Today, a broader strategy is required.

The AER highlights that future market outcomes will increasingly depend on flexible demand, battery storage, transmission investment, and other mechanisms that support grid reliability and efficiency.

For SMEs, this means energy management should include:

  • Regular contract reviews
  • Load profile analysis
  • Peak demand management
  • Solar and battery assessments
  • Ongoing monitoring of energy performance

Businesses that actively manage these areas are often better positioned to reduce costs and respond to changing market conditions.

What Should Businesses Do Next?

As Australia’s energy transition continues, energy costs will be influenced by far more than wholesale market movements alone.

Businesses should take the opportunity to:

  1. Review upcoming contract expiry dates.
  2. Understand when electricity is being consumed.
  3. Identify opportunities to reduce peak demand exposure.
  4. Explore solar, battery, and energy efficiency initiatives where practical.
  5. Continuously monitor energy spend rather than waiting until renewal time.

Final Thoughts

The key message from the Wholesale Electricity Market Performance Report 2026 is clear: energy procurement remains important, but energy management is becoming equally critical.

As the NEM continues to evolve, businesses that understand their consumption patterns and proactively manage their energy strategy will be best positioned to take advantage of emerging market opportunities.

If you’d like to understand how your business’ energy arrangements hold up against the current market, reach out to our team and request a no-cost and no-obligation energy audit.

Sources

  • Australian Energy Regulator (AER), Wholesale Electricity Market Performance Report 2026. [aer.gov.au],
  • AEMO Quarterly Energy Dynamics Q2 2026 reporting on renewable generation and wholesale electricity market trends.
Read The AER's August Report

Snowy 2.0 Powers Ahead Despite Setbacks

Scenic view of a water pipeline running down a hillside with autumn trees reflecting in the calm waters of a reservoir.
The Snowy 2.0 project, a substantial hydroelectric storage initiative, has faced its share of challenges since the start of construction. The venture has seen costs escalate beyond initial projections, and technical difficulties emerged when the tunnel boring machine, Florence, encountered unexpected soft ground, slowing progress.

However, current conditions are looking up, and construction is pushing ahead toward a notable goal, the creation of an underground cavern that’s projected to be spacious enough to accommodate a 22-story building. This will be the core of a sophisticated energy system with a substantial storage capacity, projected to be fully operational by December 2028.

According to Snowy Hydro’s CEO, Dennis Barnes, the project is just over halfway done. Despite this, there’s still a significant amount of risk management needed as the project moves forward.

The Florence machine, essential for tunnelling, has resumed its journey after being stalled but must increase its pace to keep the project on schedule. The team is considering adding a fourth boring machine to maintain momentum.

This project is vital for the energy transition in the National Electricity Market (NEM). It will provide much-needed stability, especially during periods when renewable energy sources like solar and wind are not producing power. It’s also instrumental in allowing older coal plants to be retired and making way for new renewable energy capacity.

Regardless of its critical role in supporting renewable energy targets, Snowy 2.0 has been criticised for its escalating costs, including the significant investment required for associated transmission infrastructure.

Despite challenges, Snowy 2.0 is progressing and remains a key component of Australia’s shift towards renewable energy.

This is a summary article from Edge2020 – read the original article.

Looking to reduce your business’s energy expenses without any extra cost? Edge Utilities makes it possible through collective purchasing, which enables you to unlock substantial savings. Our focus is on empowering SMEs like yours by fetching the most competitive rates available. You can get in touch with us by emailing us at save@edgeutilities.com.au or calling us at 1800 334 336. Start saving today with Edge Utilities!

Understanding the Impact of Regulatory Actions on Your Power Supply

Electric power transmission towers at sunset with a melting candle in the foreground, symbolizing power outage.
Recent developments in Australia’s energy sector have brought to light the challenges and changes that are shaping our power system’s security and reliability. A case in point involves the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) legal proceedings against Callide Power Trading, following an explosion at Callide C power station in 2021. This incident not only caused significant power outages but also highlighted potential violations of the National Electricity Rules (NER).

What Happened?

In May 2021, an explosion at Callide C4 led to widespread power outages, affecting nearly half a million homes in Queensland. The AER alleges that Callide Power Trading did not meet the required performance standards, raising concerns about the power system’s security and the stability of consumer power supply.

Why It Matters

This situation underscores the importance of adhering to performance standards to ensure the reliability and security of our power systems. The legal action and the subsequent regulatory scrutiny aim to address these concerns, ensuring that energy providers operate within the established rules to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Broader Implications

The incident at Callide C and the AER’s response are part of a larger narrative about managing energy prices and ensuring power system reliability. Efforts to manage spot prices, enforce price caps on fuel sources, and implement retailer reliability obligations are all measures aimed at stabilizing the energy market and securing the power supply for consumers.

Looking Ahead

As the energy sector navigates these challenges, we’re committed to keeping you informed about how these developments might affect your power supply, energy prices, and the overall reliability of the power system.

For a deeper dive into the Callide legal action, regulatory challenges, and their implications for power system security, consumer supply, and energy prices, we invite you to read our detailed article here.

Looking to reduce your business’s energy expenses without any extra cost? Edge Utilities makes it possible through collective purchasing, which enables you to unlock substantial savings. Our focus is on empowering SMEs like yours by fetching the most competitive rates available. You can get in touch with us by emailing us at save@edgeutilities.com.au or calling us at 1800 334 336. Start saving today with Edge Utilities!

Expanding Australia’s Green Energy with REGOs

Australia is advancing its commitment to sustainable energy with the introduction of a new credentialing system, known as REGOs, set to launch in 2025. These Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin will complement the established Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs), offering recognition to a broader range of clean energy producers.

Currently, LGCs serve as a marker of renewable energy production for larger-scale projects, yet many valuable sources of renewable energy remain unrecognized. REGOs aim to bridge this gap, acknowledging the contribution of small and international renewable energy operations.

Uniquely, REGOs have the capacity to represent incremental energy contributions from smaller producers. This approach is pioneering and calls for meticulous development of tracking and valuation methods for REGOs. The goal is to ensure a diverse and equitable representation of all renewable energy contributors in the market.

As Australia looks to a future where clean, renewable energy is paramount, REGOs stand to play a pivotal role in increasing the availability and recognition of renewable energy contributions across the nation.

This is a summary article from Edge2020 – read the original article.

Looking to reduce your business’s energy expenses without any extra cost? Edge Utilities makes it possible through collective purchasing, which enables you to unlock substantial savings. Our focus is on empowering SMEs like yours by fetching the most competitive rates available. You can get in touch with us by emailing us at save@edgeutilities.com.au or calling us at 1800 334 336. Start saving today with Edge Utilities!

Embracing Change: Late 2023’s Energy News for Australian Small Businesses

As 2024 unfolds, it’s important to look back at the significant changes in energy policies and climate goals that emerged in Australia at the end of 2023. These developments are crucial for small business owners, highlighting the importance of staying adaptable and informed in a rapidly evolving industry.

NSW’s Strategic Energy Shift
In late 2023, NSW’s Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Penny Sharpe, introduced the ‘Orderly Exit Mechanism.’ This significant policy change, backed the powers to 2021, allowing for more direct governmental control over energy generation facilities like Eraring Power Station. Small business owners in NSW should be aware of these regulatory shifts, as they could have an impact on the state’s energy supply and market prices going forward.

Queensland’s Climate Commitment
Toward the end of 2023, Queensland set an ambitious climate target of 75% below 2005 levels by 2035. This bold move suggests a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and could lead to new regulations and opportunities for small businesses. Embracing renewable energy and sustainable practices may become increasingly important.

The December Energy Surge
On December 29th, the energy market saw a significant spike, with demand exceeding 9,750MW and prices soaring. This highlights the importance of energy efficiency for small businesses. Exploring renewable energy and investing in energy-saving technologies can help mitigate the impact of such market fluctuations.

Coal Seam Gas Regulation
The Department of Resources released a draft framework for Coal Seam Gas regulation, indicating a move towards stricter environmental oversight. Small businesses in related fields should prepare for potential changes in operations and compliance requirements.

Queensland’s Environmental Stance
With the resurgence of the “polluter pays” principle in environmental law, the Queensland government is taking steps to reinforce the Environmental Protection Act of 1994. This initiative is highlighted by the recent release of a consultation paper titled “Improving the Powers and Penalties Provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1994.” This renewed focus on environmental accountability suggests a shift towards stricter regulations. For small businesses, it means an increased need to be more proactive in managing their environmental impact, thereby ensuring alignment with evolving standards and sustainability practices.

ARENA’s Emission Reduction Initiative
ARENA’s late 2023 launch of a $40 million fund to reduce industrial emissions reflects a broader governmental effort toward sustainability. While targeted at larger facilities, this initiative might open future opportunities for small businesses to participate in emission reduction.

The final months of 2023 marked a turning point for energy and environmental policies in Australia. For small businesses in the energy sector, understanding and adapting to these changes will be key to navigating this new era of sustainability and responsibility.

This is a summary article from Edge2020 – read the original article.

Looking to reduce your business’s energy expenses without any extra cost? Edge Utilities makes it possible through collective purchasing, which enables you to unlock substantial savings. Our focus is on empowering SMEs like yours by fetching the most competitive rates available. You can get in touch with us by emailing us at save@edgeutilities.com.au or calling us at 1800 334 336. Start saving today with Edge Utilities!

Smart Energy Solutions: How Australia Can Learn from UK’s Success

As winter approaches Europe, bringing sub-zero temperatures to the UK, an energy-saving initiative has been implemented. This program allows those with smart meters in their properties to support the National Grid during critical times.

The process is simple: sign up, and when a power-saving event is declared, usually during peak hours between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM, you will be notified to reduce the use of heavy energy-consuming appliances.

Last winter, the scheme successfully reduced power usage and CO2 emissions significantly. It wasn’t just about saving money on bills; it was a collective effort.

Could Australia adopt a comparable energy conservation program? Although the installation of smart meters has been slower in certain regions, the impetus for change may come from the consumers. The increasing use of smart appliances, solar panels, and batteries is setting the stage for these initiatives.

For small business owners and households to benefit from such schemes, there must be a change in how energy tariffs work to reflect this new flexibility. However, this transition also presents challenges, especially for energy retailers. They must adapt to more dynamic energy consumption patterns, moving beyond the traditional view of peak, off-peak, and shoulder times. Time Of Use tariffs will also need significant refinement to accommodate the flexibility offered by these technologies.

While there are some concerns about regulations and ensuring fair metering during these saving periods, with stats like 3.3GWh saved and AUD 21 million in incentives, it’s an opportunity that’s too good to pass up.

This is a summary article from Edge2020 – read the original article.

Looking to reduce your business’s energy expenses without any extra cost? Edge Utilities makes it possible through collective purchasing, which enables you to unlock substantial savings. Our focus is on empowering SMEs like yours by fetching the most competitive rates available. You can get in touch with us by emailing us at save@edgeutilities.com.au or calling us at 1800 334 336. Start saving today with Edge Utilities!

Summer Electricity Readiness in Australia: Navigating El Niño and IOD Challenges

Cracked earth texture with the word 'El Niño' superimposed, indicating drought conditions associated with the weather phenomenon.

As summer approaches, the importance of a robust and reliable electricity network becomes increasingly evident, particularly in the context of warmer temperatures and climate variations brought about by the El Niño phenomenon and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) recognises this in their annual report, which highlights the preparedness of the energy supply for the upcoming summer and underscores the importance of addressing risks.

El Niño, known for bringing higher temperatures, and the IOD, whose effects can amplify the conditions of El Niño, are key focuses this year. In response to these expected conditions, AEMO has assured the public that necessary measures are in place to ensure continuous energy availability, even during peak demand periods in summer.

The AEMO report also highlights the increased availability of scheduled energy generation across all states compared to last summer. The report points out the need to address potential risks, including the long-term outages of several generators during the critical months of November and December.

A critical aspect of risk management is the proactive approach to bushfire prevention and mitigation, as outlined in Transgrid’s Bushfire Risk Management Plan. This plan includes strategies to mitigate the risks of bushfires affecting transmission lines.

The AEMO report emphasizes that preparation and adaptability are key to facing climate variations and other natural risks. El Niño is expected to continue into autumn, and the positive IOD is forecasted to last at least into early summer, underscoring the importance of a comprehensive and proactive approach to mitigate the impacts.

This is a summary article from Edge2020 – read the original article.

Looking to reduce your business’s energy expenses without any extra cost? Edge Utilities makes it possible through collective purchasing, which enables you to unlock substantial savings. Our focus is on empowering SMEs like yours by fetching the most competitive rates available. You can get in touch with us by emailing us at save@edgeutilities.com.au or calling us at 1800 334 336. Start saving today with Edge Utilities!