How councils gained greater buying power through PEERS

Collective buying power and Sourced Energy specialist advice delivers lasting energy benefits for councils

Through the PEERS program (Program for Energy and Environmental Risk Solutions), Sourced Energy has helped SSROC and participating councils combine their electricity demand, strengthen their negotiating position and secure long-term electricity arrangements that support cost management and renewable energy objectives.

The Opportunity

Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) initially sought specialist advice to procure electricity for its 11 member councils. It recognised an opportunity to achieve greater buying power by bringing additional councils into a coordinated procurement.

The challenge was to translate that combined demand into competitive pricing, favourable contract terms and practical arrangements that met participating councils’ needs.

The Sourced Solution

Appointed through a competitive tender, Sourced Energy worked with SSROC to develop PEERS - the Program for Energy and Environmental Risk Solutions.

Following a successful initial procurement, Sourced Energy helped expand participation to 18 councils, bringing together approximately 160 GWh of annual electricity demand - comparable to a large industrial user.

This scale strengthened the group’s appeal to electricity retailers. Sourced Energy combined that buying power with specialist advice on market timing, contract duration, pricing and commercial terms. This procurement incorporated an innovative renewable electricity power purchase agreement linked to Moree Solar Farm.

The Outcome

Across successive PEERS procurements, Sourced Energy has helped participating councils secure competitive electricity supply arrangements and increase renewable electricity purchasing.

The relationship has continued through successive competitive advisory appointments, supporting the program’s growth and the development of renewable energy contracting arrangements.

SSROC and Sourced Energy are now preparing the fourth iteration of PEERS, bringing together 37 councils and more than 250 GWh of annual electricity demand -Australia’s largest single-tranche local government renewable electricity procurement.

For councils and large energy users, PEERS demonstrates how coordinated demand, informed market timing and carefully structured contracts can support financial and environmental objectives.