Australian-Owned Electricity Retailers: Who Are They?

what electricity companies are australian owned

Australia has over 20 energy providers, with a mix of privately-owned, publicly-owned, and government-owned companies. The Australian energy market is regulated by the National Electricity Market (NEM) and the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) in Western Australia. With numerous options available, Australians often trust household names for their energy needs. This paragraph will introduce the topic of Australian-owned electricity companies, exploring the various types of ownership and how consumers can identify Australian-owned providers.

Characteristics Values
Oldest company AGL
Government-owned companies Ergon Energy, ActewAGL, Aurora Energy
Australian-owned companies Sumo Power, GloBird Energy, Future X Power, GEE Energy, Lumo Energy, Globird, Nectr, Momentum Energy
Partially Australian-owned companies ActewAGL, Red Energy, AGL, Origin Energy, EnergyAustralia

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Australian-owned energy companies

Australia has over 20 energy providers, with 114 electricity providers in total. The Australian energy market is a mix of price competition and varied government regulations, depending on the state. Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia have deregulated energy provider markets, allowing consumers to choose their electricity retailer.

Some of the biggest energy companies in Australia include AGL, Origin Energy, and EnergyAustralia, known as the 'big three'. AGL is Australia's oldest energy company, founded in 1837, and is an ASX-listed company with mostly Australian investment companies as its major shareholders. Other major Australian-owned energy companies include:

  • Ergon Energy: A Queensland Government-owned corporation with Australian-owned subsidiaries.
  • Future X Power: An Australian-owned electricity provider based in Brisbane, Queensland.
  • GEE Energy: A proudly independent, 100% Australian-owned and operated energy retailer based in Brisbane.
  • GloBird Energy: A 100% Australian-owned company based in Melbourne, describing itself as 'fiercely independent'.
  • Sumo: An Australian-owned and operated company with a good reputation for customer service.
  • Nectr: An Australian energy retailer offering solar, battery, and solar + battery energy bundles with no upfront costs.
  • Red Energy: A company with entirely carbon-neutral business operations, offering solar incentives and community-focused initiatives.
  • Lumo Energy: 100% Australian-owned, with several service awards over the past ten years.

Some companies that are not Australian-owned include Engie, a French-based multinational energy company, and Alinta Energy, purchased by a Hong Kong-based holding company in 2017.

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Partially Australian-owned companies

Australia has over 20 energy providers, with a mix of publicly and privately owned companies. Some of the partially Australian-owned companies include:

ActewAGL

ActewAGL is jointly owned by Icon Water Limited (an ACT Government-owned corporation) and AGL via subsidiary companies. It operates in the ACT and regional parts of New South Wales. ActewAGL supplies over 170,000 customers with electricity in the ACT and gas to some regional parts of NSW. They have an 'EvenPay' service that lets members even out the cost of their energy bills with set, regular payments.

AGL

AGL is one of Australia's oldest companies, dating back to 1837. It is an ASX-listed company with mixed ownership among shareholders, most of whom are Australian investment companies. AGL is one of the "big three" energy companies in Australia, with a large market share in the residential electricity and gas markets of New South Wales and South Australia.

Red Energy

Red Energy is another member of the "big three" in Australia, with a commitment to renewable energy goals. The company provides solar incentives and community-focused initiatives, along with trusted and personalised customer service.

Alinta Energy

Alinta Energy was purchased by a Hong Kong-based holding company, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, in 2017. The company is both a retailer and generator of power, owning and operating power stations across Australia. Alinta Energy continues to invest in large-scale renewable energy projects, including solar power, battery storage, and major wind farm operations.

Sumo

Sumo is an Australian-owned and operated company known for its excellent customer service. They provide electricity, gas, and internet services, allowing customers to bundle their plans. Sumo offers flexible pricing options and no lock-in contracts, ensuring a fuss-free experience.

GloBird

GloBird Energy, also known as Globird, has a reputation for consumer-friendly energy pricing and exceptional customer service. They have received several awards and are known for their no-frills approach to delivering competitive deals for electricity and gas.

These partially Australian-owned companies play a significant role in the energy sector, along with other foreign-owned and fully Australian-owned providers.

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Foreign-owned companies

Alinta Energy

Alinta Energy is a prominent example of a foreign-owned energy company in Australia. It was purchased in March 2017 by Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, a Hong Kong-based holding company. Alinta Energy has a significant presence in Australia, with offices in major cities and ownership of power stations across the country. The company is both a retailer and generator of power and has invested in large-scale renewable energy projects, including solar power, battery storage, and wind farm operations.

OVO Energy

OVO Energy was founded in the United Kingdom in 2009 and expanded to Australia in 2019. The company offers renewable energy services and provides customers with the option to choose 10% or 100% GreenPower energy. While OVO Energy's operations are still run through its headquarters in Bristol, UK, it has established a local call centre in Melbourne to serve its Australian customers.

Engie

Engie, formerly known as GDF Suez, is a French-based multinational energy company with a global network spanning 70 countries. Its presence in Australia contributes to the diverse range of energy options available to Australian consumers.

ActewAGL

ActewAGL is a partially Australian-owned company operating in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and regional parts of New South Wales. It is jointly owned by Icon Water Limited, an ACT Government-owned corporation, and AGL via subsidiary companies. ActewAGL offers carbon offsets and comprehensive energy efficiency products to its customers.

The presence of these foreign-owned companies in the Australian energy market introduces competition, innovation, and diverse energy options for consumers. While some Australians prefer doing business with locally owned companies, the diverse range of providers allows consumers to choose the electricity retailer that best fits their needs and values.

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The 'big three' energy companies

Australia's energy market is dominated by three major companies, known as the 'big three'. These are Origin Energy, AGL, and EnergyAustralia. Together, they hold a significant share of the residential electricity and gas markets in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and South East Queensland.

Origin Energy is a Tier 1 retailer, which means it has more than 10% of the market share in a network region. It is a multi-role energy supplier, generating and selling energy directly to consumers. In the gas market, Origin claims over half of the market share at 55.2%.

AGL is Australia's oldest energy company, founded in 1837. It services around 4.3 million accounts and retails electricity and gas in NSW, VIC, SEQ, and SA, as well as gas-only in WA. AGL is also a Tier 1 retailer, with a varied portfolio of energy assets, including coal, gas, and renewable sources. It has a significant 22.3% retail market share and holds 20.7% of the gas market share.

EnergyAustralia is the third-largest energy company in Australia, although it is not Australian-owned. It holds 12.1% of the gas market share.

While the 'big three' have seen their dominance reduced in recent years, they still hold considerable sway across the energy market, with the largest market share across most Australian states.

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Government-owned companies

Several Australian electricity companies are owned by the government. Here is a list of some of the government-owned electricity companies in Australia:

ActewAGL

ActewAGL is jointly owned by Icon Water Limited (an ACT Government-owned corporation) and AGL, Australia's largest electricity generator, via subsidiary companies. ActewAGL has been serving the Canberra region for over a century, with its origins in the construction of the Kingston Powerhouse to power the new national capital. The company supplies electricity to over 170,000 customers in the ACT and provides gas to some regional parts of NSW.

Aurora Energy

Aurora Energy is a government-owned electricity and gas retailer operating solely in Tasmania. It was established on July 1, 1998, following the breakup of the Tasmanian Hydro Electric Commission (HEC) under the Electricity Companies Act of 1997. The company is 100% owned by the Tasmanian Government, with the Minister for Energy and the State Treasurer acting as its two shareholders.

Ergon Energy

Ergon Energy is a wholly Australian-owned corporation, owned by the Queensland Government.

Momentum Energy

Momentum Energy is owned and operated by Hydro Tasmania, a Tasmanian government business enterprise and generator. Momentum Energy retails electricity to homes and businesses in New South Wales, Victoria, South East Queensland, and South Australia.

Red Energy and Lumo Energy

Red Energy and Lumo Energy are retail subsidiaries of Snowy Hydro, a federal government-owned energy generation company.

Synergy

Synergy is entirely owned by the Western Australian Government.

Frequently asked questions

Some Australian-owned electricity companies are:

- GloBird Energy

- GEE Energy

- Future X Power

- Sumo Power

- EnergyAustralia

- Origin Energy

- AGL

AGL is Australia's oldest energy company, founded in 1837.

Some Australian-owned electricity companies that offer renewable energy services are:

- Nectr

- Red Energy

- Momentum Energy

- EnergyAustralia

Sumo Power offers electricity plans in Queensland. Other companies that offer electricity services in Queensland include AGL and EnergyAustralia.

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