GreenPower in Perth: what it is and whether it's worth it

GreenPower is a federal government accreditation scheme that allows electricity retailers to sell "green" electricity — electricity matched by government-accredited renewable energy certificates. Synergy offers GreenPower to Perth households as an optional add-on to any electricity plan.

If you can't install solar (renting, apartment, strata, unsuitable roof), GreenPower is one alternative for reducing your household's carbon footprint from electricity use.

How GreenPower works

When you sign up for GreenPower, Synergy purchases GreenPower-accredited certificates (usually LGCs — Large-scale Generation Certificates from certified renewable generators, or RECs in older terminology) on your behalf, proportional to your electricity consumption.

The electricity flowing into your home is the same electrons as every other household — the grid doesn't have a "green pipe" and a "coal pipe." What changes is the certificate accounting: for every kWh you consume, a matching kWh of renewable generation is certified and retired.

Three levels typically available:

• 10% GreenPower: 10% of your consumption matched by green certificates
• 50% GreenPower: 50% matched
• 100% GreenPower: all consumption matched by accredited renewable certificates

What it costs

Synergy's GreenPower premium varies. As of 2026, the approximate premium is:

• Approximately 1–3c/kWh additional for partial GreenPower
• Approximately 3–6c/kWh additional for 100% GreenPower

For an average Perth household consuming 6,000 kWh/year:

• 100% GreenPower at 5c/kWh premium: approximately $300/year extra
• 50% GreenPower at 3c/kWh premium: approximately $90/year extra

Check your current Synergy bill or log in to MyAccount to see the current GreenPower pricing.

GreenPower vs rooftop solar: the comparison

| | GreenPower (100%) | Rooftop solar 6.6kW | |---|---|---| | Upfront cost | Nil | ~$7,000–$8,500 | | Annual premium/saving | +$300/yr extra | ~$2,000–$2,500/yr saving | | Break-even | Never (ongoing cost) | 3–5 years | | Carbon impact | Certificates matched | Physical renewable generation | | Requires ownership | No | Yes (or long-term lease) | | Suitable for renters | Yes | Generally no |

For homeowners: GreenPower is almost never financially rational vs installing solar. The $300/year GreenPower premium is money spent indefinitely with no asset created, vs a solar system that creates a financial return and a property asset.

For renters and apartment dwellers: GreenPower is one of the few ways to reduce your electricity's carbon footprint without owning the roof.

What GreenPower does and doesn't do

Does:

• Finances additional renewable energy capacity in the NEM/SWIS
• Reduces the carbon intensity of your electricity (certificate accounting)
• Eligible for some "green business" certifications and voluntary carbon reporting

Doesn't:

• Change the electricity physically flowing to your home
• Replace a solar system's financial benefits
• Directly reduce your electricity bill (it adds to it)
• Provide any backup power or energy independence

Other options for renters and apartment dwellers

Virtual net metering (not yet available in WA): in some Australian states, tenants can participate in on-site solar generation through a shared solar arrangement with the building. WA's network rules and Synergy's billing system don't currently support this for residential tenants, but it's under discussion as community battery and behind-the-meter sharing schemes develop.

Community power purchase agreements: some organisations offer community solar schemes where members buy shares in a solar farm. Returns vary; these are not widely available for Perth households as of 2026.

Energy efficiency + tariff optimisation: for renters without solar access, the most direct ways to reduce electricity costs are:

• Switch to the most cost-effective Synergy plan for your usage pattern
• Reduce baseload (standby devices, efficient appliances)
• Shift consumption to off-peak where practical

BillWise's bill analysis identifies the tariff and efficiency savings available in your home without requiring solar access.

GreenPower certification is administered by the Australian GreenPower Accreditation Program. Synergy's current GreenPower pricing is available in MyAccount or by calling 13 13 53.