Future Communities Plan

How it works

How does it compare to my current Home Plan (A1)?

As a time-of-use energy plan, the Future Communities Plan offers you more control over your electricity costs. By making the shift to using more energy between 9am and 3pm you could reduce the size of your electricity bill. Alternatively you could use more electricity between 9am and 3pm to increase the comfort of your home for the same amount you would spend on electricity on your current plan.

	Switch to Future Communities Plan	Stay on the Home Plan (A1)
	A cheaper electricity rate than the Home Plan between 9am - 3pm	A fixed rate 24/7 regardless of when you consume electricity
Electricity charge: 9am - 3pm everyday	19.0000 cents per unit+	30.8120 cents per unit+
Electricity charge: All other times	30.8120 cents per unit+	30.8120 cents per unit+
Supply charge	110.4600 cents per day+	110.4600 cents per day+

+ Prices inc. GST

How much could I save on my energy bills? ^

2 bed x 1 bath household

Smaller households that consume on average 10 units daily, could save around $121 each year#

3 bed x 2 bath households

Medium households that consume on average 14 units daily, could save around $170 each year^

5 bed x 3 bath households

Larger households that consume on average 17 units daily, could save around $206 each year*

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of this pilot: To pilot simple, new energy solutions that make it easier for eligible social housing rental households to access the benefits of renewable energy solutions like rooftop solar, without the costs of purchasing and installing the rooftop solar.
Who is eligible to participate?: Synergy, in partnership with the Department of Communities, has determined eligibility for the Future Communities Plan based on a few factors including property type, roof suitability for a rooftop solar PV system, meter type and customer usage profiles.

Eligible customers at social housing properties will be contacted with an offer to participate but places are limited - a maximum of 500 households will be invited to participate.

The Department of Communities will also be in contact with you about your participation in the Future Communities Pilot.
Is there a fee to switch to the Future Communities Plan?: No, there is no fee to switch to the Future Communities Plan.
Is a meter change required to participate?: Yes. In order to enable Synergy to monitor the energy generated from both the solar PV system and the grid, a special dual element meter will be installed at your premises by Western Power at the same time the rooftop solar PV system is installed and commissioned.
Will I own the rooftop solar system on my home?: Synergy will install the solar system at your Department of Communities rental property at no cost to you. The rooftop solar system will be owned and operated by Synergy over its useful life, but you’ll get access to the electricity generated by the system.
Will the rooftop solar system power my home?: Yes – if there is enough sunshine to generate electricity from the rooftop solar system to power you home.
But if it’s a cloudy day and the system doesn’t generate enough energy to power your home, you’ll draw energy from the grid.

Even if you draw energy from the grid (rather than from the rooftop solar system), between the hours of 9am – 3pm, you’ll still only be charged the same, discounted rate of 19 cents for every unit (kWh) consumed during that period.
Am I eligible for the Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme (REBS) of the Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS)?: No. The Future Communities Plan is exempt from REBS/DEBS as Synergy is the owner and operater of the rooftop solar PV system.
Can I revert back to the standard Home Plan (A1) from the Future Communities Plan?: Yes. You can revert back at any time by contacting us via futurecommunitiesplan@synergy.net.au.
We’ll quickly switch you back to the Home Plan (A1) and there will be no charge for this service. When you are switched back to the Home Plan (A1), you will be supplied electricity under Synergy's standard electricity agreement terms and conditions (which are the terms and conditions you were supplied on before you signed up for the Future Communities Pilot).

Please note, if you choose to switch back to the Home Plan (A1), you’ll no longer be eligible to receive the discounted Future Communities Plan rate from the Synergy owned and operated rooftop solar PV system installed on the property.

As per the terms and conditions, Synergy reserves the right to disable or remove the rooftop solar PV system.
Why is Synergy installing a rooftop solar PV system on my home?: On the 26 July 2020 the State Government announced a package of renewable energy technology initiatives funded as part of the COVID-19 WA Recovery Plan. This included a $6 million program to install rooftop solar systems on approximately 500 social housing properties.
This initiative will be delivered by Synergy in partnership with the Department of Communities, where Synergy will own and operate the rooftop solar PV systems over their useful life.

Read more about the program.

Future Communities Plan

Switch plans | Energy saving tips

Join our new solar pilot today

Find out if you're eligible

How it works

A new meter and solar PV system is installed at your DoC rental property at no cost to you. They are both owned and operated by Synergy.

Your supply is provided under the Future Communities Plan and you pay a cheaper rate of 19 cents per unit (inc. GST) for electricity consumed between 9am and 3pm every day.

You get to enjoy the greener benefits of solar by consuming electricity generated by the rooftop solar system.