Discounted Electricity for Somers Residents
Residents will have noticed a number of recent television current affairs items concerning the ever increasing price of electricity and also the commentary about further significant increases that are likely to result from any price that is put upon carbon based pollution.
The Somers Residents Association believed that it could leverage the very strong membership support that we enjoy from within the Community. During the past six months we have been pursuing a community wide electricity purchasing initiative with a view to providing reduced electricity prices for our village.
This tender process has now been completed and we are pleased to advise that the electricity retailer “Neighbourhood Energy”, a subsidiary of Alinta, has emerged as the successful tenderer with the most attractive proposal.
This action by the SRA has received a deal of interest from other community groups and the media. It has recently been covered twice in separate segments on Channel 7's "Today Tonight" program, and more recently it has also been featured on Channel 9's "A Current Affair" program.
To see these segments, please click here.
Offer Overview
The Somers Residents Association has tested several electricity accounts rendered over the past 12 months and is confident that all customers who chooose to take up the offer will make significant savings. In most cases this will exceed $100 per annum and in some cases savings of around $600 per annum are also possible depending on electricity consumption and the inclusion of a Melbourne house in addition to the property in Somers.
The arrangements negotiated by the Somers Residents Association on behalf of the Somers community are as follows:
Base Benefits
- A 15% ‘pay on time’ discount to the electricity charges as set by the Essential Services Commission of Victoria.
- A $30 credit on the first account following signing up with Neighbourhood Energy.
Additional Benefits
- Residents with a second home in Melbourne will be able to register both homes under this discount arrangement.
- A further ‘one-off’ $10 credit will apply to customers who agree to direct debit their payments.
- An additional $10 ‘one-off’ credit will apply to customers who agree to receive their bills electronically.
- A 15% discount off the Recommended Retail Price of energy saving and environmentally friendly goods and services on line from Neco, the Eco Superstore (see www.neco.com.au)
Contract Requirements
- Term of Contract is 2 years
- Quarterly billing
- $50 fee if contract is broken within the 2 year timeframe
For full details, including management of price increases, please download the SRA notice sent to residents of Somers by clicking this document in the Quick Links section on the left of this page.
For contact details at Neighbourhood Energy for this offer, please click on the Neighbourhood Energy logo in the Quick Links section on the left.
Resident Feedback
Listed below is unedited feedback we have received from residents regarding this electricity scheme.
Dear Ray, I thought that you would like to know that we have signed up for Neighbourhood Energy for the next 2 years. Many thanks to Somers Resident's Association for the work that went into this. SRA initiatives carried out by volunteers in the community have made such a positive difference to most of us and this " power" one tops the list. I estimate that our 2-person household will save about $250 per annum - all for a phone call! Families or those with other houses will do even better I am sure. Transferring was simple and reaching the decision point took a few minutes comparing rates. Even those on special rates from other retailers will be substantially in front with this option. Well done to all involved!
Dear Ray, just a note to thank the SRA Committee for their hard work since the SRA’s inception, the Committee appears to have a very balanced and positive view of the needs of the Residents.
My Wife and I have taken up the recent Electricity offer arranged by the SRA with Neighbourhood Energy both at our residence at Somers and our Home in Melbourne.
Our calculations show that we should save at least $100 + per residence per year, more than $200 pa total.
We initially had some problems obtaining the documentation for Somers from Neighbourhood Energy but with the help of one of their Consultants all was resolved.
Our reason for changing was not only the cost savings, which was substantial, but the support offered by the SRA to ensure that “every price increase is transparent”. Obviously as consumers we have a greater voice as a group (through the SRA) than as individuals.
We believe that the work done by the SRA can only improve our lifestyle.
Thank you to all of those involved and please continue the excellent work.