Horizon Power has expanded its Sunshine Saver product in regional Western Australia, extending energy savings to customers in the Mid West and Gascoyne regions.
Launched in Esperance in October 2023, Sunshine Saver is a subscription-based product that shares the benefits of centralised renewable energy with customers previously unable to access rooftop solar.
Horizon Power has extended the Sunshine Saver product to eligible customers in Cue, Meekatharra, Sandstone, Yalgoo, Wiluna and Norseman, with additional towns earmarked for future release.
Eligible customers in these towns will have the ability to share in the benefits of a centralised solar farm and realise bill savings – on average 11% of their energy bills – through a Sunshine Saver opt-in subscription.
In November 2023, the Albanese and Cook Governments announced a $19.9 million partnership which provided a funding boost to the Sunshine Saver program, helping additional regional households benefit from Horizon Power’s investment in renewable energy.
The funding is also supporting the WA Government’s Kimberley Communities Solar Saver program, which is installing rooftop solar across five remote Kimberley communities, reducing cost-of-living pressures for many community households.
Eligible Sunshine Saver customers include those who would otherwise not have access to rooftop solar – customers who are renting, hold an eligible concession card, or are experiencing financial hardship.
Sunshine Saver customers pay a daily subscription fee and will save an average of $219 per annum on their energy bills, with the ability to save more by shifting their evening energy use to daytime.
Sunshine Saver is designed to provide guaranteed savings to eligible households regardless of how and when they use power at home, and can also enable greater savings if customers use power more while the sun is shining.
Horizon Power Chief Execuitve Officer, Stephanie Unwin said the energy provider was proud to be expanding Sunshine Saver into the Mid West and Gascoyne.
“We are passionate about energy equity at Horizon Power and believe strongly that all of our customers should have access to renewable energy sources, regardless of their circumstances.
Whether we’re talking about our smallest remote communities in the Kimberley or our biggest industry partners in the Pilbara, our goal is to enable all our customers to participate in the energy transition and reap the positive economic and environmental benefits that come with it.”
The product aligns with the State Government’s Distributed Energy Resources Roadmap – supporting households without rooftop solar – while also supporting the State’s 2030 reduced emissions target.
Horizon Power team members will be available in Cue, Meekatharra, Sandstone, Yalgoo and Wiluna in late May, providing face-to-face consultation for customers interested in Sunshine Saver. Eligible customers are also able to sign up via Horizon Power’s website and mobile app, or by calling Horizon Power on 1800 267 926
For more information visit www.horizonpower.com.au