Note: Solar Choice has no incentive to promote one VPP program over another. This review is fact-based, relying on ENGIE’s official documentation and disclosures, and is designed to educate homeowners with unbiased information and opinions.
New to Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)? See our comprehensive guide to VPPs.
Looking to compare? See the best VPPs compared in Australia.
VPP Overview
ENGIE is a global energy company and electricity retailer with operations across Australia. Their Virtual Power Plant (VPP) links home solar and battery systems into a shared network that supports the grid during peak demand or sudden outages.
- Company: ENGIE Australia & New Zealand
- Program launch: Not specifically disclosed, but ENGIE has been promoting VPP offers since 2024.
- Coverage: Available in NSW, QLD, SA, and VIC.
- Participants: Numbers are not publicly disclosed.
Financial Benefits Offered
ENGIE provides both upfront and ongoing bill credits:
- Sign-up credit:
- $200 in NSW, QLD, SA
- $100 in VIC
- Monthly credits:
- $20/month (NSW, QLD, SA) → $240/year
- $15/month (VIC) → $180/year
- Feed-in tariff: Customers continue to earn a solar FiT under their ENGIE retail plan.
Example with a 15 kWh battery:
- NSW, QLD, SA → $200 sign-up + $240/year credits = $440 in the first year.
- VIC → $100 sign-up + $180/year credits = $280 in the first year.
Credits continue annually while enrolled.
Electricity Tariffs / Rates
ENGIE VPP customers must switch their electricity supply to ENGIE. You’ll receive:
- Standard ENGIE retail tariffs (usage rates and supply charge).
- A solar feed-in tariff (FiT), varying by plan and state.
- Monthly VPP credits applied directly to bills.
See ENGIE’s current energy plan details: ENGIE Compare Plans.
Battery and System Requirements
To join ENGIE VPP, you’ll need:
- A compatible battery and inverter, such as:
- Tesla Powerwall
- Sungrow
- Sigenergy
- Empower
- Alpha ESS
- Installed and operating solar + battery system.
- Reliable internet connection (Wi-Fi).
- Smart meter.
- During sign-up, you must provide system information (battery brand, capacity, installation date, and serial number/Tesla GWID).
Contract Length and Exit Terms
- Ongoing agreement with no fixed contract length.
- Customers can leave at any time, but will forfeit future monthly credits.
- No exit penalties disclosed, unless linked to government rebate participation (e.g. NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme).
Technical Operations
ENGIE can control your battery in two main ways:
- Wholesale market support – discharging during high-price events.
- Ancillary services (FCAS) – charging or discharging briefly to stabilise grid frequency.
Usage caps (from 1 July 2025):
- 5–9.99 kW systems: up to 400 kWh charged and 400 kWh discharged per year.
- 10–15 kW systems: up to 800 kWh charged and 800 kWh discharged per year.
These limits are designed to protect battery health while still allowing ENGIE to deliver grid services.
Customer Experience
- Bill credits are automatically applied to ENGIE electricity bills.
- Customers continue to receive a solar FiT alongside credits.
- ENGIE does not advertise a dedicated VPP monitoring app; usage and credits are visible through standard battery apps and ENGIE billing.
- Eligibility can be checked via ENGIE’s VPP compatibility form.
Pros & Cons of ENGIE’s VPP
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple upfront and ongoing bill credits | Must switch to ENGIE as electricity retailer |
| Wide compatibility (Tesla, Sungrow, Alpha ESS, Sigenergy, Empower) | No per-kWh export payments – only fixed bill credits |
| Defined usage caps (400–800 kWh/year) to protect battery | No dedicated VPP monitoring app |
- ENGIE VPP: An Independent Review - 16 September, 2025
- Diamond Energy WATTBANK® VPP: An Independent Review - 15 September, 2025
- Discover Energy VPP: An Independent Review - 15 September, 2025
