Australia’s first national virtual power plant, 5,000 strong, demonstrates the value of VPPs

Australian clean energy company Plico has partnered with leading energy retailer, Alinta Energy, to launch a new battery, solar and virtual power plant (VPP) offer for eligible New South Wales households. Households can participate in Plico’s independent Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and access Plico VPP Rewards, while contributing to a more responsive and resilient electricity grid. With this partnership, Plico’s VPP becomes the first to span both of Australia’s major electricity markets; the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) in Western Australia and the National Electricity Market (NEM) on the east coast.

Plico manages a fleet of household battery systems, discharging energy from these systems when wholesale electricity spot prices are very high. Eligible Sigenergy, Alpha ESS and Redback battery owners in NSW can now join the Plico VPP to participate. The Plico VPP program includes rewards of up to 50c per kWh feed-in tariff during VPP events.

For Plico VPP members, Alinta Energy can offer electricity retail services via their Sunshare Plan, delivering further value with a feed-in tariff of 10c per kWh for the first 10 kWh exported each day.

NSW households without a battery are also able to purchase a solar and battery package, or battery-only, through Plico, and receive an additional $1,500 discount when joining the Plico VPP. They may also be eligible for Plico Finance, providing discounted finance through the Clean Energy Finance Corporate (CEFC)’s Household Energy Upgrade Fund, with no large upfront costs,

Eligibility, technical compatibility and participation requirements apply.

The initiative marks the first electricity retail partnership for Plico in NSW and expands the company’s independent VPP network, which already connects more than 5,000 members across Western Australia’s South West Interconnected System (SWIS).

Plico CEO Robbie Campbell says the partnership represents a major step in bringing Plico’s proven solar, battery and VPP model to households on the east coast: “Plico has spent years building and refining a solar-plus-battery-plus-VPP model that empowers households to take control of their energy while strengthening the grid. What we have built in Western Australia shows that, when VPPs are designed  around real household needs, they can achieve strong participation and deliver practical value for both customers and the energy system.

“With Alinta Energy, we’re bringing that model to New South Wales in a way that supports participation in the energy transition and enables households to access additional value streams from their solar and battery systems.”

Campbell states the partnership reflects a shared commitment to accelerating distributed clean energy across Australia:

“Alinta is a strong partner for Plico. Both organisations share a commitment to clean energy and a customer-first approach. By combining Alinta’s forward-thinking retail offering with Plico’s distributed battery network, we can deliver a scalable, customer-centric renewable energy service that supports the growth of Virtual Power Plants across the National Electricity Market,” he adds.

Nicole Brolan, Alinta Energy’s General Manager Commercial Mass Market, says the partnership combines great customer benefits from both partners: “Working together with Plico, we’re excited to combine benefits from solar, batteries and Virtual Power Plants to bring additional value to households while supporting electricity system stability via this offer in New South Wales.”

Plico’s VPP technology connects household batteries into a coordinated energy network that can respond to grid needs in real time, supporting electricity supply when it is needed the most, while reducing reliance on fossil fuel generation. The network is enabled by advanced orchestration technology from energy software provider GridAI, which helps coordinate distributed batteries so they can operate as a flexible, grid-supporting energy resource.

The VPP is open to eligible battery owners using systems such as AlphaESS, Sigenergy and Redback Technologies, subject to technical compatibility and participation requirements. VPP participants can access Plico VPP Rewards through Alinta Energy’s SunShare electricity plan.

For households without solar or a battery, Plico provides an end-to-end clean energy solution, including solar and battery systems, management of the Plico VPP, ongoing service, and finance options including Plico Finance with support from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation through the Household Energy Upgrades Fund.

Campbell says initiatives like Plico’s VPP demonstrate how distributed energy resources can play a central role in Australia’s clean energy future: “Virtual Power Plants allow everyday households to become active participants in the energy system. They strengthen grid stability, unlock more value from rooftop solar and accelerate the shift toward a decentralised, renewable-powered electricity network.” 

VPP Rewards are paid by Plico based on metered electricity exported during VPP events and are separate from electricity retail tariffs, charges and feed-in tariff arrangements. Participation, eligibility and event availability conditions apply.

About Plico

Plico is a leading Australian clean energy company empowering communities to take control of their energy future. Founded in Western Australia, Plico is building one of Australia’s largest Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), a connected network of household solar and battery systems that generate, store and share clean energy to support local electricity networks and improve grid reliability.

Using an innovative membership-based model with no large upfront costs, Plico makes solar and battery systems affordable and accessible for all Australians. Members enjoy lower power bills, blackout protection and ongoing support, while also earning VPP Rewards when their stored energy helps stabilise the grid during peak demand.

Born from the Dunsborough Community Energy Project, Plico has grown rapidly across WA and into the eastern states. The company’s mission is simple; accelerate Australia’s clean-energy transition by linking the solar power generated on rooftops across the country into a smarter, cleaner, more resilient energy network for homes and businesses.

Backed by sustainable investment specialists Gresham House, Plico combines local commitment with global expertise to deliver long-term, measurable climate impact.

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