Demand response

Demand response gives eligible businesses the opportunity to earn extra revenue by reducing electricity use at nominated times.

A smart way to save and earn

You can earn extra revenue by reducing your electricity use when wholesale prices peak. Demand response is a simple partnership between your business and Ergon Energy Retail that helps manage high market prices and rewards you for acting fast.

What is demand response?

Demand response is a voluntary program for eligible large businesses. When wholesale electricity prices surge, we may invite you to reduce demand for a short period. If you take part, you’ll receive a share of the savings created by lowering our exposure to high wholesale costs.

Want to learn more about managing your energy use and earning rewards?

Check out our demand response information guide.

Demand Response Brochure

Why it matters for your business

You get clear benefits:

  • Earn extra revenue by reducing demand for short periods of time
  • Stay in control because taking part is always completely voluntary
  • Support Queensland’s energy network by helping ease pressure during peak demand.

Your earnings depend on how much electricity you can reduce and how quickly you can respond.

How it works

When wholesale prices rise sharply, you may receive an invitation to join a demand response event. If you choose to participate, you’ll reduce your electricity use for a set period by:

  • Powering down part or all of your plant; or
  • Switching to your in‑house generation.

Once the event ends, you’ll get the all-clear‑ to return to normal operations.

Who’s eligible?

Demand response is suited to large businesses that can act quickly and manage short-term changes to operations. To take part, you’ll need to:

  • Be an Ergon Energy Retail business customer
  • Have in-‑house generation and/or the flexibility to reduce demand
  • Respond within around 30 minutes when invited
  • Reduce at least 1000 kVA for a minimum of 30 minutes
  • Show reasonable costs for running generation or interrupting processes at short notice.

Want to talk about joining?

Dive deeper into demand response and the benefits with your local business account manager.