Note: Solar Choice has no incentive to promote one VPP over another. This review is fact‑based and is designed to educate Australian homeowners.
VPP Overview
Company behind it: Plico Energy, a WA‑based energy company.
Partnerships: Uses Redback and AlphaESS battery systems, with Sigenergy to be added. Operates on the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) and trades in the Wholesale Energy Market (WEM).
Commencement: Operating since 2022–23.
Participants: Public reports cite ~2,500 households and ~27 MWh aggregated battery capacity by late 2024–25.
Geographical limitations: WA only (SWIS footprint from Kalbarri to Bremer Bay and east to Kalgoorlie). Expansion to other states has been flagged but is not yet active.
How it works: On peak‑demand afternoons, Plico commands batteries to charge early afternoon and discharge for up to four hours in the evening. Household consumption is prioritised, with surplus exported to the grid. No active minimum‑demand service currently.
Eligibility: All Plico WA members are automatically enrolled. A VPP‑only path exists for eligible AlphaESS or Redback battery owners. Inverters must remain online and your NMI provided for rewards.
Financial Benefits Offered
Incentives: Earn 3× your Synergy tariff for each kWh exported from your battery during a VPP event, with a minimum of $0.97/kWh. Rewards are added as credits to your Synergy bill. These payments are in addition to standard DEBS feed‑in credits.
Sign‑up bonuses: None published for BYO systems. New system buyers through Plico may access rebates or package discounts.
Caps: No published export cap. Discharge duration is typically up to four hours per event.
Example savings (based on Synergy Home Plan A1 – 32.37c/kWh):
- 5 kWh battery: ~3–4 kWh export per event ≈ $2.90–$3.88 credit.
- 10 kWh battery: ~7–9 kWh export per event ≈ $6.79–$8.73 credit.
- 15 kWh battery: ~10–12 kWh export per event ≈ $9.70–$11.65 credit.
If 10 events occur in a summer, credits could range from ~$30 (small battery) up to ~$116 (large battery).
For context see: Is a VPP worth it?
Electricity Tariffs / Rates
Plico members remain Synergy customers. Rewards are credited against your Synergy bill.
Synergy plans (1 July 2025):
- Home Plan (A1): 32.3719 c/kWh flat.
- Midday Saver: Peak 3–9 pm 53.8446 c/kWh; Off‑peak 9 pm–9 am 23.6916 c/kWh; Super off‑peak 9 am–3 pm 8.6151 c/kWh.
- Daily supply charges apply.
DEBS feed‑in: ~10 c/kWh after 3 pm and ~3 c/kWh at other times. These credits are separate to Plico’s VPP rewards.
Battery and System Requirements
- Brands: Redback and AlphaESS; Sigenergy coming soon.
- Capacity: No official upper or lower limits. Event use depends on available state of charge (SoC). Plico reserves ~5% to protect the battery.
- Inverter: Must stay online; internet connection required. Wi‑Fi, NBN, or 4G acceptable with reliable uptime.
- Smart meter: Required for accurate billing and settlement.
Contract Length and Exit Terms
- Participation: Automatic when joining Plico. Governed by Plico’s Virtual Power Plant Service Agreement.
- Exit terms: Plico states a minimum term and/or opt‑out fee may apply. BYO members should request written terms before joining.
Technical Operations
- Use of battery: For peak‑demand events only.
- Event frequency: Weather and market driven. Events typically occur on hot summer afternoons/evenings.
- Discharge limits: Up to 4 hours; no annual cap published.
- Blackouts: Exports cease during outages; system powers your backup circuit instead.
Customer Support & App Experience
- Monitoring: Central digital platform monitors and controls systems.
- Notifications: Optional SMS alerts and website event banners.
- Billing: VPP rewards appear as line‑item credits on your Synergy bill.
Pros & Cons of Plico VPP
Pros
- High event payout: 3× Synergy tariff (minimum $0.97/kWh).
- WA‑specific orchestration proven at scale during summer peaks.
- BYO entry possible for Redback/AlphaESS owners.
Cons
- Only operates in WA (SWIS); no interstate option.
- Income is event‑driven; no fixed annual payout.
- Opt‑out fees or minimum terms may apply.
Who is it best for?
Best suited to WA homeowners with a solar + battery system and reliable daytime solar generation, who want premium credits for helping the grid during summer peaks. Those prioritising blackout resilience should request a higher SoC reserve.
- Plico Energy VPP: An Independent Review (2025) - 16 September, 2025
- EnergyAustralia Battery Ease / PowerResponse VPP: An Independent Review - 16 September, 2025
- GloBird ZeroHero VPP: An Independent Review - 16 September, 2025
