Backing Australia’s Bakers: Choice Energy and the BAA Are Cutting Costs and Powering Growth

June 2nd, 2025

For small businesses, every dollar counts — and nowhere is that more true than in the world of independent baking.

Bakers work hard for their revenue. They start working before dawn all year. They face rising cost-of-living pressures and ingredient shortages head-on. All while dealing with tight margins and fierce competition for customers.

But in recent years, keeping the lights (and the ovens) on has become more of a challenge than ever. One of the key reasons is the rising cost of electricity.

Enter the Baking Association of Australia. With a strong track record of advocating for its members, the BAA recognised that energy was becoming a growing pressure point for its community, and went looking for a partner that could help.

What began as a conversation about one member’s bill quickly turned into something bigger: a nationwide partnership with our team at Choice Energy. This partnership has been built on trust, shared values, and measurable savings that actually move the needle for small businesses.

How the Partnership Started

Like so many great partnerships, ours began small and has grown exponentially over time.

It first began with a small bakery that partnered with the team at Choice Energy in search of better electricity rates. After saving them thousands, we caught the eye of the BAA. What followed was a number of further conversations during which we learned how well aligned our two organisations were in the pursuit of saving money for Australian bakers.

The Baking Association of Australia recognised, through word of mouth and by looking at our track record, that member-first support, transparency, and long-term savings were the key drivers of our business.

Through our conversations with the BAA, it became clear how much of an issue rising electricity costs have become. With no end in sight for the price increases, the need was clear. So, in July 2021, the Choice Energy x Baking Association of Australia partnership was made official.

Choice energy baking association of australia partnership 1

_{Tony Smith, Executive Officer of the BAA, and Alex Townsend, Head of Partnerships at Choice Energy.}

What Our Partnership Has Achieved So Far

Since 2021, our partnership with the BAA has gone from strength to strength. Over 300 BAA members have now worked with our team to review their energy usage and create tailored plans to help save their hard-earned cash.

In fact, BAA members have saved over $2 million on their electricity bills as a direct result of working with Choice Energy. They say money talks, and we wholeheartedly agree.

Here are some of the ways we’ve helped bakeries unlock these savings:

Network tariff analysis, to ensure bakeries are on the most cost-effective tariff for their operating hours and load profile.
Retail energy procurement, where we negotiate competitive rates on behalf of members to secure better long-term contracts.
Solar for small businesses, helping bakeries invest in long-term cost reduction and greater energy independence.

These aren’t simply off-the-shelf measures. Each one is considered and recommended to bakeries based on the detailed research and analysis of our team. For example, the strategies available to a city-based bakery can be vastly different from those in rural areas.

But what remains the same for all bakeries is the benefits of their electricity savings. Take the Tumby Bay Bakery as an example. As one of the many examples from this partnership, Tumby Bay Bakery is saving around $11,000 per year on its energy bills as a result of working with Choice Energy.

What The BAA Says

Partnering with Choice Energy has delivered real, measurable value to our members. Over 300 bakeries have already seen more than $2 million in collective savings—money that can now be reinvested into their businesses, staff, and equipment. That level of impact speaks volumes.

The feedback from our members has been overwhelmingly positive. Bakers appreciate the transparency, personalised support, and the ease of working with Choice Energy. Many have told us they feel more in control of their energy costs for the first time in years.

At the BAA, we’re focused on supporting a sustainable, competitive baking industry. Choice Energy shares that vision. Their commitment to helping independent businesses thrive—not simply survive—aligns perfectly with our mission to back bakers every step of the way.
Tony Smith - Executive Officer of the BAA

What’s Next for the Partnership?

The BAA x Choice Energy partnership isn’t slowing down — in fact, it’s only getting started.

Next up is Australia’s Best Pie Competition at the BAA Trade Show in Sydney this July, where Choice Energy is proud to be a sponsor (we’re even presenting the trophy!). It’s a fun, community-driven celebration of Australia’s best bakers — and another great opportunity to connect with members face-to-face.

The driving force behind this successful partnership is simple: shared values. Both the BAA and our team here at Choice Energy care deeply about the success of small, family-run businesses. Through transparent communication and tailored advice, we deliver savings that really stick.

If you haven’t yet explored the benefits that Choice Energy can provide, now’s the time. Book a free energy assessment today.

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