Demand Response (DR) is a mechanism where energy users are financially rewarded for curtailing their energy load during periods of high energy demand. This could mean switching to on-site generation or batteries, powering down non-essential equipment or shifting energy use to a different time of the day.
In addition to getting paid for participating in Shell Energy’s demand response program, you’ll be helping to balance energy supply and demand and support the energy grid.
By utilising advanced technology and internal expertise, we can manage your business’ participation in a DR event remotely, meaning minimal on-site interruptions for your business.
While not all Demand Response events are foreseeable, we help our customers forecast potential events, so you can plan a response that is right for your business.
We offer payments for the energy capacity made available or delivered during DR events. These payments are paid quarterly and are based on a fixed forward referenced capacity price. Capacity payments are also paid even if no events are called, provided you made the capacity available.
In Calendar Year 2025, Shell Energy provided customers enrolled in our DR programs with $4.95 million in revenue from our retailer demand response program.
Our Demand Response program is suitable* for organisations that:
*Additional criteria and terms and conditions apply. Please contact us for further details.
Unlock potential additional revenue, and support Australia's energy grid, by participating in our Demand Response program.
Demand response programs involve large energy users reducing their demand for energy taken from the grid when requested. This demand reduction may occur by reducing use, or utilising on-site power generation such as backup generation, or discharging energy stored in batteries. Businesses receive performance-based payments for their participation.
Demand Response events are activated when there is significant pressure on the electricity system due to very high demand or supply constraints.
These events often occur when power plant outages happen, when network lines are nearing capacity and when electricity demand and prices are high (which is more frequent during the Australian summer).
Learn more here
We make Demand Response simple. Here is our approach:
Shell Energy will send a dispatch request to participating customers when participation is required.
In some instances, participants will receive advance notice of the event. Depending on the terms of the agreement, customers may choose not to participate.
At the time of an event, a Shell Energy Demand Response customer will receive emails, phone calls and texts from us to alert them to the opportunity. To participate, the business may do one or more of the following to reduce demand on the network:
If our dispatch system is integrated with your controls systems, we can manage your participation remotely, so you never miss an opportunity.
After each event, we issue performance-based payments to participating customers. Payments can be made directly or via your Shell Energy retail electricity invoice.
