Big stick being waved at energy companies
Stricter regulations should now ensure cheaper electricity costs are passed on to customers and will hold energy companies to account for manipulation and misconduct.
It’s part of the government’s 'big stick' plan to ensure households get a fairer deal on energy
It also aims to both drive down energy prices and strengthen supply.
The new law was passed six months ago will “ensure reductions in wholesale costs are passed on to customers, while penalties will apply for anti-competitive behaviour or moves to manipulate electricity prices”, say federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg and energy minister Angus Taylor.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have recently said that energy companies have “played a major role in poor outcomes for consumers”.
Mr Frydenberg and Mr Taylor's “big stick” legislation hopes the change that and, in turn, help an increasing number of households experiencing hardship due to COVID-19.
The ACCC will be responsible for enforcing the legislation, with heavy penalties to be applied for any misconduct.
Do you think this will help to lower your energy bill?
Like others on here, I don't hold out much hope for an improvement in Australian energy prices.
See here Energy companies and who they are owned by -- the site I got it from will be below
Energy Phone Internet Streaming Appliances More About >>Which energy companies are REALLY Australian-owned?Which energy companies are REALLY Australian-owned? Australians love to support home-grown businesses. But when it comes to our energy retailers, it’s not always clear which ones really are Australian-owned and which are simply part of bigger international organisations. As an example, you may be surprised to learn that, despite its name, EnergyAustralia is not actually an Australian-owned company.
Shopping locally supports the domestic economy and fosters local job opportunities by keeping the profits in Australia. While being foreign-owned isn’t a bad thing by any means, our research over the years has found that many consumers lean towards Australian-owned brands when comparing similar products or services. That’s why we’ve produced this guide to Australian-owned energy companies, including plans and pricing from the retailers that appear to ‘keep it local’ when it comes to profits and even in terms of where their call centres are based.
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Just compare plans which link to a Referral Partner. Important Notes Electricity Plans from Australian-owned CompaniesIf you’ve decided that you want to sign-up to an Australian-owned energy company, here are the cheapest published deals from the retailers currently on our database that promote themselves as such. This is not an endorsement of these retailers – and not an exhaustive list – but provides a guide to what’s on offer from Aussie-owned power providers. Read on for a longer list of companies and details about their ownership.
NSW plans from Australian companiesHere are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that market themselves as Australian-owned. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Plans are listed in order of lowest price first. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
What does mean below?
Based on the general usage^ in the Ausgrid network the AER reference price is: $1,462 / yearBrandPlanand highlights Price/year (estimated^)
Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Ausgrid 18% less than reference priceConditional discounts:Reduces to 19% below the reference price for Direct DebitReduces to 25% below the reference price for Pay On Time $1,103incl. conditionaldiscount Go to site
Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Ausgrid Price includes $103.99 annual f ...
24% less than reference price $1,116 Go to site
Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Ausgrid Online sign-ups only. Must sig ...
22% less than reference price $1,138 Go to site
Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Ausgrid 21% less than reference price $1,150 Go to site 
Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Ausgrid Fixed rate for a minimum of 12 ...
15% less than reference price $1,240 Go to site View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue*QLD, SA and NSW: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a representative customer would be charged in a year for this plan, assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met, based on the AER’s model annual usage in the distribution region as stated at the top of each table.
~VIC: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a customer would be charged in a year for this plan, using the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in your distribution region as stated at the top of each table and assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met.
Some plans may require you to meet certain conditions before a discount may become available to you. Check the energy provider’s plan information for details of all possible discounts that may apply and any conditions that need to be met to be eligible for these discounts. Some plans may have a minimum term longer than one year. In that case the total cost over the term will be much higher than the Price (which is only for one year). Consider the provider’s detailed product and pricing information before making a decision to take out a new plan or switch electricity providers.
^What is the Reference Price?
Reference Price: The reference price is set by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) for a financial year in relation to electricity supply to residential customers in the distribution region and is based on an assumed annual usage amount. Any difference between the reference price and the unconditional price of a plan is expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the reference price and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price.
>What is the VDO?
VDO: The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) includes a daily supply charge and usage charges (per kilowatt hour). Differences in tariffs across distribution regions reflect the unique costs of providing electricity services in each area. The difference between the VDO and the unconditional price of a plan, based on the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in the distribution region, is expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the VDO and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO.
ACT: Costs based on annual household usage of 5499kWh/year on the EvoEnergy network in Canberra, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
TAS: Costs based on annual household usage of 6775kWh/year on the TasNetworks electricity network in Tasmania, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
†By clicking on a brand, ‘go to site’ or ‘details’ button, you will leave Canstar Blue and be taken to our referral partner to compare. Canstar Blue may be paid for this referral. You agree that Canstar Blue’s terms and conditions apply to this referral.
Canstar Blue may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship fees may be higher than referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product’s rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a Sponsored product does not indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. The table position of a Sponsored product does not change when a consumer changes the sort order of the table. For more information please see How Are We Funded.
Solar Products:
Annual cost estimates exclude solar payments. Feed-in tariffs shown are single rate only.
Solar products may only be available to solar customers and some products may only be available to customers who purchase solar PV or other products through the retailer.
VIC plans from Australian companiesHere are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that market themselves as Australian-owned. These costs are based on the Citipower energy network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Plans are listed in order of lowest price first. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
What does mean below?
Based on the general usage^ in the Citipower network the VDO reference price is: $1,420 / yearBrandPlanand highlights Price/year (estimated^)Energy Fact Sheet Distributed by: Citipower 23% less than VDOConditional discounts:Reduces to 24% below the VDO for Direct Debit $1,083incl. conditionaldiscount Go to site
Energy Fact Sheet Distributed by: Citipower Fixed rate for a minimum of 12 ...
18% less than VDO $1,162 Go to siteEnergy Fact Sheet Distributed by: Citipower Available to online sign-ups only
13% less than VDO $1,240 Go to siteEnergy Fact Sheet Distributed by: Citipower Online sign-ups only. Must sig ...
11% less than VDO $1,260 Go to siteEnergy Fact Sheet Distributed by: Citipower 3% less than VDO $1,378 Go to site View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue *QLD, SA and NSW: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a representative customer would be charged in a year for this plan, assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met, based on the AER’s model annual usage in the distribution region as stated at the top of each table.
~VIC: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a customer would be charged in a year for this plan, using the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in your distribution region as stated at the top of each table and assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met.
Some plans may require you to meet certain conditions before a discount may become available to you. Check the energy provider’s plan information for details of all possible discounts that may apply and any conditions that need to be met to be eligible for these discounts. Some plans may have a minimum term longer than one year. In that case the total cost over the term will be much higher than the Price (which is only for one year). Consider the provider’s detailed product and pricing information before making a decision to take out a new plan or switch electricity providers.
^What is the Reference Price?
Reference Price: The reference price is set by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) for a financial year in relation to electricity supply to residential customers in the distribution region and is based on an assumed annual usage amount. Any difference between the reference price and the unconditional price of a plan is expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the reference price and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price.
>What is the VDO?
VDO: The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) includes a daily supply charge and usage charges (per kilowatt hour). Differences in tariffs across distribution regions reflect the unique costs of providing electricity services in each area. The difference between the VDO and the unconditional price of a plan, based on the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in the distribution region, is expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the VDO and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO.
ACT: Costs based on annual household usage of 5499kWh/year on the EvoEnergy network in Canberra, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
TAS: Costs based on annual household usage of 6775kWh/year on the TasNetworks electricity network in Tasmania, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
†By clicking on a brand, ‘go to site’ or ‘details’ button, you will leave Canstar Blue and be taken to our referral partner to compare. Canstar Blue may be paid for this referral. You agree that Canstar Blue’s terms and conditions apply to this referral.
Canstar Blue may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship fees may be higher than referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product’s rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a Sponsored product does not indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. The table position of a Sponsored product does not change when a consumer changes the sort order of the table. For more information please see How Are We Funded.
Solar Products:
Annual cost estimates exclude solar payments. Feed-in tariffs shown are single rate only.
Solar products may only be available to solar customers and some products may only be available to customers who purchase solar PV or other products through the retailer.
QLD plans from Australian companiesHere are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that market themselves as Australian-owned. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Plans are listed in order of lowest price first. This comparison assumes general usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
What does mean below?
Based on the general usage^ in the Energex network the AER reference price is: $1,508 / yearBrandPlanand highlights Price/year (estimated^)Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Energex 14% less than reference priceConditional discounts:Reduces to 15% below the reference price for Direct DebitReduces to 21% below the reference price for Pay on Time $1,191incl. conditionaldiscount Go to site
Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Energex 20% less than reference price $1,201 Go to site Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Energex Price includes $103.99 annual f ...
17% less than reference price $1,244 Go to siteBasic Plan Information Distributed by: Energex 7% less than reference price $1,410 Go to site View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue *QLD, SA and NSW: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a representative customer would be charged in a year for this plan, assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met, based on the AER’s model annual usage in the distribution region as stated at the top of each table.
~VIC: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a customer would be charged in a year for this plan, using the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in your distribution region as stated at the top of each table and assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met.
Some plans may require you to meet certain conditions before a discount may become available to you. Check the energy provider’s plan information for details of all possible discounts that may apply and any conditions that need to be met to be eligible for these discounts. Some plans may have a minimum term longer than one year. In that case the total cost over the term will be much higher than the Price (which is only for one year). Consider the provider’s detailed product and pricing information before making a decision to take out a new plan or switch electricity providers.
^What is the Reference Price?
Reference Price: The reference price is set by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) for a financial year in relation to electricity supply to residential customers in the distribution region and is based on an assumed annual usage amount. Any difference between the reference price and the unconditional price of a plan is expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the reference price and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price.
>What is the VDO?
VDO: The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) includes a daily supply charge and usage charges (per kilowatt hour). Differences in tariffs across distribution regions reflect the unique costs of providing electricity services in each area. The difference between the VDO and the unconditional price of a plan, based on the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in the distribution region, is expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the VDO and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO.
ACT: Costs based on annual household usage of 5499kWh/year on the EvoEnergy network in Canberra, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
TAS: Costs based on annual household usage of 6775kWh/year on the TasNetworks electricity network in Tasmania, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
†By clicking on a brand, ‘go to site’ or ‘details’ button, you will leave Canstar Blue and be taken to our referral partner to compare. Canstar Blue may be paid for this referral. You agree that Canstar Blue’s terms and conditions apply to this referral.
Canstar Blue may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship fees may be higher than referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product’s rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a Sponsored product does not indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. The table position of a Sponsored product does not change when a consumer changes the sort order of the table. For more information please see How Are We Funded.
Solar Products:
Annual cost estimates exclude solar payments. Feed-in tariffs shown are single rate only.
Solar products may only be available to solar customers and some products may only be available to customers who purchase solar PV or other products through the retailer.
SA plans from Australian companiesHere are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that market themselves as Australian-owned. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Plans are listed in order of lowest price first. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
What does mean below?
Based on the general usage^ in the SA Power Networks network the AER reference price is: $1,832 / yearBrandPlanand highlights Price/year (estimated^)Basic Plan Information Distributed by: SA Power Networks 17% less than reference priceConditional discounts:Reduces to 18% below the reference price for Direct DebitReduces to 23% below the reference price for Pay on Time $1,403incl. conditionaldiscount Go to site
Basic Plan Information Distributed by: SA Power Networks Price includes $103.99 annual f ...
23% less than reference price $1,411 Go to siteBasic Plan Information Distributed by: SA Power Networks 8% less than reference price $1,679 Go to site Basic Plan Information Distributed by: SA Power Networks 8% less than reference price $1,693 Go to site Basic Plan Information Distributed by: SA Power Networks Equal toreference price $1,828 Go to site View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue *QLD, SA and NSW: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a representative customer would be charged in a year for this plan, assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met, based on the AER’s model annual usage in the distribution region as stated at the top of each table.
~VIC: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a customer would be charged in a year for this plan, using the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in your distribution region as stated at the top of each table and assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met.
Some plans may require you to meet certain conditions before a discount may become available to you. Check the energy provider’s plan information for details of all possible discounts that may apply and any conditions that need to be met to be eligible for these discounts. Some plans may have a minimum term longer than one year. In that case the total cost over the term will be much higher than the Price (which is only for one year). Consider the provider’s detailed product and pricing information before making a decision to take out a new plan or switch electricity providers.
^What is the Reference Price?
Reference Price: The reference price is set by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) for a financial year in relation to electricity supply to residential customers in the distribution region and is based on an assumed annual usage amount. Any difference between the reference price and the unconditional price of a plan is expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the reference price and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price.
>What is the VDO?
VDO: The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) includes a daily supply charge and usage charges (per kilowatt hour). Differences in tariffs across distribution regions reflect the unique costs of providing electricity services in each area. The difference between the VDO and the unconditional price of a plan, based on the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in the distribution region, is expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the VDO and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO.
ACT: Costs based on annual household usage of 5499kWh/year on the EvoEnergy network in Canberra, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
TAS: Costs based on annual household usage of 6775kWh/year on the TasNetworks electricity network in Tasmania, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
†By clicking on a brand, ‘go to site’ or ‘details’ button, you will leave Canstar Blue and be taken to our referral partner to compare. Canstar Blue may be paid for this referral. You agree that Canstar Blue’s terms and conditions apply to this referral.
Canstar Blue may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship fees may be higher than referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product’s rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a Sponsored product does not indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. The table position of a Sponsored product does not change when a consumer changes the sort order of the table. For more information please see How Are We Funded.
Solar Products:
Annual cost estimates exclude solar payments. Feed-in tariffs shown are single rate only.
Solar products may only be available to solar customers and some products may only be available to customers who purchase solar PV or other products through the retailer.
Energy Company Ownership 2020The following table lists the biggest electricity companies in Australia, including those that are entirely Australian-owned, those that are partly Australian-owned, and those that are entirely owned by foreign investors or businesses.
Energy CompanyOwnershipActewAGLPartly Australian-ownedAGLPartly Australian-ownedAlinta EnergyForeign-ownedAmaysim EnergyPartly Australian-ownedAmber ElectricAustralian-ownedAurora EnergyAustralian-ownedBright Spark PowerAustralian-ownedClick EnergyPartly Australian-ownedCommander EnergyPartly Australian-ownedCovaUAustralian-ownedDC Power CoPartly Australian-ownedDiamond EnergyPartly Australian-ownedDiscover EnergyAustralian-ownedDodoPartly Australian-ownedElysian EnergyAustralian-ownedErgon EnergyAustralian-ownedEnergyAustraliaForeign-ownedEnergy LocalsAustralian-ownedEnova EnergyPartly Australian-ownedFuture X PowerAustralian-ownedGloBird EnergyAustralian-ownedKogan EnergyPartly Australian-ownedLPEAustralian-ownedLumo EnergyAustralian-ownedMojo PowerPartly Australian-ownedMomentum EnergyAustralian-ownedNectrForeign-ownedOrigin EnergyPartly Australian-ownedOVO EnergyForeign-ownedPeople EnergyAustralian-ownedPooled EnergyAustralian-ownedPowerclubUnclear ownershipPowerdirectPartly Australian-ownedPowershopAustralian and New Zealand-ownedQEnergyAustralian-ownedReAmped EnergyPartly Australian-ownedRed EnergyAustralian-ownedSimply EnergyForeign-ownedSumo PowerAustralian-ownedSynergyAustralian-ownedTango EnergyForeign-owned1st EnergyAustralian-ownedLast updated: May 2020.
About these Energy CompaniesActewAGLActewAGL claims it is owned equally by Icon Water Limited and ASX listed AGL Energy Limited via subsidiary companies. On a distribution level, it is owned by Icon Water Limited and Jemena Limited.
AGLAGL is one of Australia’s oldest companies, promoting itself as ‘Proudly Australian since 1837’. Today, AGL is an ASX listed company, meaning that ownership is mixed among shareholders. Most major shareholders are Australian investment companies.
Alinta EnergyAlinta Energy was purchased in March 2017 by a Hong Kong-based holding company – Chow Tai Fook Enterprises. With offices in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide the company is both a retailer and generator of power. Alinta Energy owns and operates power stations across Australia. The company also continues to invest or underwrite large scale renewable energy projects across Australia including solar power, battery storage and major wind farm operations, including Western Australia’s biggest wind farm.
Amaysim EnergyYou probably know Amaysim best as a budget prepaid mobile provider, but it’s also now an energy provider. An ASX listed company, its ownership is both Australian and overseas.
Amber ElectricAmber Electric was founded in 2017 and is supported by a handful of Australian investors. According to its LinkedIn page, the provider of energy to customers of Amber Electric is Energy Locals – a wholly-owned Australian retailer.
Aurora EnergyAurora Energy is 100% owned by the Tasmanian Government.
Bright Spark PowerBright Spark Power claims to be a privately held Australian-owned, Australian-based company on their LinkedIn page. The retailer’s headquarters is based in in Sydney.
Click EnergyClick Energy was purchased by Amaysim in April 2017 – an ASX listed telecommunications company. Major Amaysim shareholders include both Australian and foreign investment groups.
CommanderCommander is part of Vocus Communications – an ASX listed telecommunications company. It is unclear how much of Vocus may be Australian or foreign owned.
CovaUCovaU is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TPC Consolidated Limited (formerly Tel.Pacific Limited), which is an Australian company based in Sydney.
Diamond EnergyDiamond Energy is more than 80% Australian owned and is supported by a small cornerstone investment from Hanwha – a Korean energy company.
Discover EnergyAccording to its own website, Discover Energy is “100% Australian-owned, and run by a group of innovators, IT geeks, and disruptors of the traditional energy supply chain.”
DodoDodo is part of Vocus Communications – an ASX listed telecommunications company which also owns other brands, including iPrimus and Commander. It is unclear what the proportion of Vocus may be Australian owned.
Elysian EnergyElysian Energy had its start in Melbourne, where according to its website, it is Australian-owned and operated.
Ergon EnergyErgon Energy is a Queensland Government-owned corporation. Ergon Energy and all its subsidiaries are Australian-owned.
EnergyAustraliaEnergyAustralia is wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based energy company CLP Group. Originally, EnergyAustralia was a state-owned enterprise of the New South Wales Government, but was acquired by CLP-owned TruEnergy in 2011. The NSW Government kept the distribution service of the old business, which was subsequently renamed ‘Ausgrid’.
Energy LocalsEnergy Locals claims to be a 100% Australian-owned company, with CEO and founder, Adrian Merrick, its largest shareholder. The company is based in Melbourne.
Enova EnergyEnova Energy is based out of Byron Bay, led by CEO Felicity Stening. It prides itself on being the first community-owned energy retailer, with shareholders from different backgrounds.
GloBird EnergyGloBird Energy is claimed to be a 100% Australian owned company based in the Melbourne suburbs. The company describes itself as ‘fiercely independent’.
Kogan EnergyWhilst you’ve probably heard of Kogan, you may not know that this online retail giant has started selling energy, too. Whilst its headquarters are in Melbourne, it is ASX listed, meaning its ownership comes from both Australia and overseas.
LPELocality Planning Energy claims to be Australian owned, based in Maroochydore, Queensland.
Mojo PowerMojo Power was born and raised in Australia, making it an Australian-owned energy company in that respect. A couple of its key investors, however, include South Cross Venture Partners and Soft Bank China Capital, both of which are multinational capital venture firms.
Momentum EnergyMomentum Energy says it is 100% Australian-owned, as part of Hydro Tasmania – one of the country’s leading clean energy businesses.
NectrAccording to its website, Nectr was founded in Australia but is backed by Hanwha Energy – a Korean energy solutions company.
Origin EnergyOrigin Energy was founded as recently as 2000 following the demerger of the energy business from the building and construction arms of Boral Limited. Origin has a rich Australian history, however as an ASX listed company, it is owned by shareholders across the globe.
OVO EnergyOVO Energy is the latest retailer to reach Australian shores. The company hails from the United Kingdom, and currently only operates in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.
Pooled EnergyPooled Energy references its ownership on its LinkedIn page, stating “Pooled Energy is Australian owned, based and operated.”
PowerdirectPowerdirect was purchased by energy giant AGL in 2007. Being that AGL is partly Australian-owned, so too is Powerdirect.
PowershopPowershop is owned by Meridian Energy, which is Australian and New Zealand-owned. Meridian says it’s Australasia’s largest pure-renewable generator.
QEnergyQEnergy is a Brisbane-based electricity retailer that specialises in business energy retailer, while also servicing homes across most states. It is Australian-owned and operated.
ReAmped EnergyReAmped Energy is founded by Australian man, Jason Donald, who attracted investment support to start ReAmped. This investment in part came from New Zealand, though, according to ReAmped, many Australian employees also have part ownership of the company.
Red Energy & Lumo EnergyRed Energy and Lumo Energy are the retail subsidiaries of Snowy Hydro – an Australian energy generation and retailing company which also maintains the snowy mountains hydroelectricity scheme.
Simply EnergySimply Energy is the Australian retail arm of Engie (formally known as GDF Suez) – a French-based multinational energy company with a network spanning 70 countries.
SumoSumo claims that it is a 100% Australian-owned company and that its employees are local, based in Melbourne.
SynergySynergy is owned by the Western Australian Government with no other private interest. There is no suggestion of Synergy being privatised anytime soon.
Tango EnergyTango Energy (previously Pacific Hydro) is a Melbourne-based energy company and renewable energy generation business. While the company was founded in Australia, it was acquired by China’s State Power Investment Corporation in 2016.
1st Energy1st Energy claims to be 100% Australian owned, with business energy company, ERM Power, holding a large stake in it.
Does it matter if your energy company is Australian-owned?While it’s good to know about the ownership of your energy providers – and where your money goes when you pay your bill – it shouldn’t dictate your decision in terms of which company you choose. Sure, it’s good if your money stays in Australia and is invested in the local community, or renewable energy solutions. But it’s also important that you pay a fair price and receive good customer service. A foreign-owned energy company is just as capable of providing those things.
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See here Energy companies and who they are owned by -- the site I got it from will be below
Energy Phone Internet Streaming Appliances More About >>Which energy companies are REALLY Australian-owned?Which energy companies are REALLY Australian-owned? Australians love to support home-grown businesses. But when it comes to our energy retailers, it’s not always clear which ones really are Australian-owned and which are simply part of bigger international organisations. As an example, you may be surprised to learn that, despite its name, EnergyAustralia is not actually an Australian-owned company.
Shopping locally supports the domestic economy and fosters local job opportunities by keeping the profits in Australia. While being foreign-owned isn’t a bad thing by any means, our research over the years has found that many consumers lean towards Australian-owned brands when comparing similar products or services. That’s why we’ve produced this guide to Australian-owned energy companies, including plans and pricing from the retailers that appear to ‘keep it local’ when it comes to profits and even in terms of where their call centres are based.
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Just compare plans which link to a Referral Partner. Important Notes Electricity Plans from Australian-owned CompaniesIf you’ve decided that you want to sign-up to an Australian-owned energy company, here are the cheapest published deals from the retailers currently on our database that promote themselves as such. This is not an endorsement of these retailers – and not an exhaustive list – but provides a guide to what’s on offer from Aussie-owned power providers. Read on for a longer list of companies and details about their ownership.
NSW plans from Australian companiesHere are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that market themselves as Australian-owned. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Plans are listed in order of lowest price first. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
What does mean below?
Based on the general usage^ in the Ausgrid network the AER reference price is: $1,462 / yearBrandPlanand highlights Price/year (estimated^)Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Ausgrid 18% less than reference priceConditional discounts:Reduces to 19% below the reference price for Direct DebitReduces to 25% below the reference price for Pay On Time $1,103incl. conditionaldiscount Go to site
Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Ausgrid Price includes $103.99 annual f ...
24% less than reference price $1,116 Go to siteBasic Plan Information Distributed by: Ausgrid Online sign-ups only. Must sig ...
22% less than reference price $1,138 Go to siteBasic Plan Information Distributed by: Ausgrid 21% less than reference price $1,150 Go to site Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Ausgrid Fixed rate for a minimum of 12 ...
15% less than reference price $1,240 Go to site View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue*QLD, SA and NSW: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a representative customer would be charged in a year for this plan, assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met, based on the AER’s model annual usage in the distribution region as stated at the top of each table.
~VIC: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a customer would be charged in a year for this plan, using the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in your distribution region as stated at the top of each table and assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met.
Some plans may require you to meet certain conditions before a discount may become available to you. Check the energy provider’s plan information for details of all possible discounts that may apply and any conditions that need to be met to be eligible for these discounts. Some plans may have a minimum term longer than one year. In that case the total cost over the term will be much higher than the Price (which is only for one year). Consider the provider’s detailed product and pricing information before making a decision to take out a new plan or switch electricity providers.
^What is the Reference Price?
Reference Price: The reference price is set by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) for a financial year in relation to electricity supply to residential customers in the distribution region and is based on an assumed annual usage amount. Any difference between the reference price and the unconditional price of a plan is expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the reference price and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price.
>What is the VDO?
VDO: The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) includes a daily supply charge and usage charges (per kilowatt hour). Differences in tariffs across distribution regions reflect the unique costs of providing electricity services in each area. The difference between the VDO and the unconditional price of a plan, based on the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in the distribution region, is expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the VDO and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO.
ACT: Costs based on annual household usage of 5499kWh/year on the EvoEnergy network in Canberra, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
TAS: Costs based on annual household usage of 6775kWh/year on the TasNetworks electricity network in Tasmania, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
†By clicking on a brand, ‘go to site’ or ‘details’ button, you will leave Canstar Blue and be taken to our referral partner to compare. Canstar Blue may be paid for this referral. You agree that Canstar Blue’s terms and conditions apply to this referral.
Canstar Blue may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship fees may be higher than referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product’s rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a Sponsored product does not indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. The table position of a Sponsored product does not change when a consumer changes the sort order of the table. For more information please see How Are We Funded.
Solar Products:
Annual cost estimates exclude solar payments. Feed-in tariffs shown are single rate only.
Solar products may only be available to solar customers and some products may only be available to customers who purchase solar PV or other products through the retailer.
VIC plans from Australian companiesHere are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that market themselves as Australian-owned. These costs are based on the Citipower energy network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Plans are listed in order of lowest price first. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
What does mean below?
Based on the general usage^ in the Citipower network the VDO reference price is: $1,420 / yearBrandPlanand highlights Price/year (estimated^)Energy Fact Sheet Distributed by: Citipower 23% less than VDOConditional discounts:Reduces to 24% below the VDO for Direct Debit $1,083incl. conditionaldiscount Go to site
Energy Fact Sheet Distributed by: Citipower Fixed rate for a minimum of 12 ...
18% less than VDO $1,162 Go to siteEnergy Fact Sheet Distributed by: Citipower Available to online sign-ups only
13% less than VDO $1,240 Go to siteEnergy Fact Sheet Distributed by: Citipower Online sign-ups only. Must sig ...
11% less than VDO $1,260 Go to siteEnergy Fact Sheet Distributed by: Citipower 3% less than VDO $1,378 Go to site View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue *QLD, SA and NSW: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a representative customer would be charged in a year for this plan, assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met, based on the AER’s model annual usage in the distribution region as stated at the top of each table.
~VIC: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a customer would be charged in a year for this plan, using the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in your distribution region as stated at the top of each table and assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met.
Some plans may require you to meet certain conditions before a discount may become available to you. Check the energy provider’s plan information for details of all possible discounts that may apply and any conditions that need to be met to be eligible for these discounts. Some plans may have a minimum term longer than one year. In that case the total cost over the term will be much higher than the Price (which is only for one year). Consider the provider’s detailed product and pricing information before making a decision to take out a new plan or switch electricity providers.
^What is the Reference Price?
Reference Price: The reference price is set by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) for a financial year in relation to electricity supply to residential customers in the distribution region and is based on an assumed annual usage amount. Any difference between the reference price and the unconditional price of a plan is expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the reference price and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price.
>What is the VDO?
VDO: The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) includes a daily supply charge and usage charges (per kilowatt hour). Differences in tariffs across distribution regions reflect the unique costs of providing electricity services in each area. The difference between the VDO and the unconditional price of a plan, based on the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in the distribution region, is expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the VDO and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO.
ACT: Costs based on annual household usage of 5499kWh/year on the EvoEnergy network in Canberra, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
TAS: Costs based on annual household usage of 6775kWh/year on the TasNetworks electricity network in Tasmania, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
†By clicking on a brand, ‘go to site’ or ‘details’ button, you will leave Canstar Blue and be taken to our referral partner to compare. Canstar Blue may be paid for this referral. You agree that Canstar Blue’s terms and conditions apply to this referral.
Canstar Blue may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship fees may be higher than referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product’s rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a Sponsored product does not indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. The table position of a Sponsored product does not change when a consumer changes the sort order of the table. For more information please see How Are We Funded.
Solar Products:
Annual cost estimates exclude solar payments. Feed-in tariffs shown are single rate only.
Solar products may only be available to solar customers and some products may only be available to customers who purchase solar PV or other products through the retailer.
QLD plans from Australian companiesHere are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that market themselves as Australian-owned. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Plans are listed in order of lowest price first. This comparison assumes general usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
What does mean below?
Based on the general usage^ in the Energex network the AER reference price is: $1,508 / yearBrandPlanand highlights Price/year (estimated^)Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Energex 14% less than reference priceConditional discounts:Reduces to 15% below the reference price for Direct DebitReduces to 21% below the reference price for Pay on Time $1,191incl. conditionaldiscount Go to site
Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Energex 20% less than reference price $1,201 Go to site Basic Plan Information Distributed by: Energex Price includes $103.99 annual f ...
17% less than reference price $1,244 Go to siteBasic Plan Information Distributed by: Energex 7% less than reference price $1,410 Go to site View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue *QLD, SA and NSW: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a representative customer would be charged in a year for this plan, assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met, based on the AER’s model annual usage in the distribution region as stated at the top of each table.
~VIC: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a customer would be charged in a year for this plan, using the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in your distribution region as stated at the top of each table and assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met.
Some plans may require you to meet certain conditions before a discount may become available to you. Check the energy provider’s plan information for details of all possible discounts that may apply and any conditions that need to be met to be eligible for these discounts. Some plans may have a minimum term longer than one year. In that case the total cost over the term will be much higher than the Price (which is only for one year). Consider the provider’s detailed product and pricing information before making a decision to take out a new plan or switch electricity providers.
^What is the Reference Price?
Reference Price: The reference price is set by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) for a financial year in relation to electricity supply to residential customers in the distribution region and is based on an assumed annual usage amount. Any difference between the reference price and the unconditional price of a plan is expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the reference price and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price.
>What is the VDO?
VDO: The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) includes a daily supply charge and usage charges (per kilowatt hour). Differences in tariffs across distribution regions reflect the unique costs of providing electricity services in each area. The difference between the VDO and the unconditional price of a plan, based on the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in the distribution region, is expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the VDO and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO.
ACT: Costs based on annual household usage of 5499kWh/year on the EvoEnergy network in Canberra, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
TAS: Costs based on annual household usage of 6775kWh/year on the TasNetworks electricity network in Tasmania, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
†By clicking on a brand, ‘go to site’ or ‘details’ button, you will leave Canstar Blue and be taken to our referral partner to compare. Canstar Blue may be paid for this referral. You agree that Canstar Blue’s terms and conditions apply to this referral.
Canstar Blue may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship fees may be higher than referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product’s rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a Sponsored product does not indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. The table position of a Sponsored product does not change when a consumer changes the sort order of the table. For more information please see How Are We Funded.
Solar Products:
Annual cost estimates exclude solar payments. Feed-in tariffs shown are single rate only.
Solar products may only be available to solar customers and some products may only be available to customers who purchase solar PV or other products through the retailer.
SA plans from Australian companiesHere are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that market themselves as Australian-owned. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Plans are listed in order of lowest price first. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
What does mean below?
Based on the general usage^ in the SA Power Networks network the AER reference price is: $1,832 / yearBrandPlanand highlights Price/year (estimated^)Basic Plan Information Distributed by: SA Power Networks 17% less than reference priceConditional discounts:Reduces to 18% below the reference price for Direct DebitReduces to 23% below the reference price for Pay on Time $1,403incl. conditionaldiscount Go to site
Basic Plan Information Distributed by: SA Power Networks Price includes $103.99 annual f ...
23% less than reference price $1,411 Go to siteBasic Plan Information Distributed by: SA Power Networks 8% less than reference price $1,679 Go to site Basic Plan Information Distributed by: SA Power Networks 8% less than reference price $1,693 Go to site Basic Plan Information Distributed by: SA Power Networks Equal toreference price $1,828 Go to site View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue *QLD, SA and NSW: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a representative customer would be charged in a year for this plan, assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met, based on the AER’s model annual usage in the distribution region as stated at the top of each table.
~VIC: Price is GST inclusive and is: The estimated lowest possible price a customer would be charged in a year for this plan, using the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in your distribution region as stated at the top of each table and assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met.
Some plans may require you to meet certain conditions before a discount may become available to you. Check the energy provider’s plan information for details of all possible discounts that may apply and any conditions that need to be met to be eligible for these discounts. Some plans may have a minimum term longer than one year. In that case the total cost over the term will be much higher than the Price (which is only for one year). Consider the provider’s detailed product and pricing information before making a decision to take out a new plan or switch electricity providers.
^What is the Reference Price?
Reference Price: The reference price is set by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) for a financial year in relation to electricity supply to residential customers in the distribution region and is based on an assumed annual usage amount. Any difference between the reference price and the unconditional price of a plan is expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the reference price and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the reference price.
>What is the VDO?
VDO: The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) includes a daily supply charge and usage charges (per kilowatt hour). Differences in tariffs across distribution regions reflect the unique costs of providing electricity services in each area. The difference between the VDO and the unconditional price of a plan, based on the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in the distribution region, is expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO. The terms of any conditional discounts are shown, along with any further difference between the VDO and the discount applied if a condition is met, expressed as a percentage more or less than the VDO.
ACT: Costs based on annual household usage of 5499kWh/year on the EvoEnergy network in Canberra, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
TAS: Costs based on annual household usage of 6775kWh/year on the TasNetworks electricity network in Tasmania, September 2020. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.
†By clicking on a brand, ‘go to site’ or ‘details’ button, you will leave Canstar Blue and be taken to our referral partner to compare. Canstar Blue may be paid for this referral. You agree that Canstar Blue’s terms and conditions apply to this referral.
Canstar Blue may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship fees may be higher than referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product’s rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a Sponsored product does not indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. The table position of a Sponsored product does not change when a consumer changes the sort order of the table. For more information please see How Are We Funded.
Solar Products:
Annual cost estimates exclude solar payments. Feed-in tariffs shown are single rate only.
Solar products may only be available to solar customers and some products may only be available to customers who purchase solar PV or other products through the retailer.
Energy Company Ownership 2020The following table lists the biggest electricity companies in Australia, including those that are entirely Australian-owned, those that are partly Australian-owned, and those that are entirely owned by foreign investors or businesses.
Energy CompanyOwnershipActewAGLPartly Australian-ownedAGLPartly Australian-ownedAlinta EnergyForeign-ownedAmaysim EnergyPartly Australian-ownedAmber ElectricAustralian-ownedAurora EnergyAustralian-ownedBright Spark PowerAustralian-ownedClick EnergyPartly Australian-ownedCommander EnergyPartly Australian-ownedCovaUAustralian-ownedDC Power CoPartly Australian-ownedDiamond EnergyPartly Australian-ownedDiscover EnergyAustralian-ownedDodoPartly Australian-ownedElysian EnergyAustralian-ownedErgon EnergyAustralian-ownedEnergyAustraliaForeign-ownedEnergy LocalsAustralian-ownedEnova EnergyPartly Australian-ownedFuture X PowerAustralian-ownedGloBird EnergyAustralian-ownedKogan EnergyPartly Australian-ownedLPEAustralian-ownedLumo EnergyAustralian-ownedMojo PowerPartly Australian-ownedMomentum EnergyAustralian-ownedNectrForeign-ownedOrigin EnergyPartly Australian-ownedOVO EnergyForeign-ownedPeople EnergyAustralian-ownedPooled EnergyAustralian-ownedPowerclubUnclear ownershipPowerdirectPartly Australian-ownedPowershopAustralian and New Zealand-ownedQEnergyAustralian-ownedReAmped EnergyPartly Australian-ownedRed EnergyAustralian-ownedSimply EnergyForeign-ownedSumo PowerAustralian-ownedSynergyAustralian-ownedTango EnergyForeign-owned1st EnergyAustralian-ownedLast updated: May 2020.
About these Energy CompaniesActewAGLActewAGL claims it is owned equally by Icon Water Limited and ASX listed AGL Energy Limited via subsidiary companies. On a distribution level, it is owned by Icon Water Limited and Jemena Limited.
AGLAGL is one of Australia’s oldest companies, promoting itself as ‘Proudly Australian since 1837’. Today, AGL is an ASX listed company, meaning that ownership is mixed among shareholders. Most major shareholders are Australian investment companies.
Alinta EnergyAlinta Energy was purchased in March 2017 by a Hong Kong-based holding company – Chow Tai Fook Enterprises. With offices in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide the company is both a retailer and generator of power. Alinta Energy owns and operates power stations across Australia. The company also continues to invest or underwrite large scale renewable energy projects across Australia including solar power, battery storage and major wind farm operations, including Western Australia’s biggest wind farm.
Amaysim EnergyYou probably know Amaysim best as a budget prepaid mobile provider, but it’s also now an energy provider. An ASX listed company, its ownership is both Australian and overseas.
Amber ElectricAmber Electric was founded in 2017 and is supported by a handful of Australian investors. According to its LinkedIn page, the provider of energy to customers of Amber Electric is Energy Locals – a wholly-owned Australian retailer.
Aurora EnergyAurora Energy is 100% owned by the Tasmanian Government.
Bright Spark PowerBright Spark Power claims to be a privately held Australian-owned, Australian-based company on their LinkedIn page. The retailer’s headquarters is based in in Sydney.
Click EnergyClick Energy was purchased by Amaysim in April 2017 – an ASX listed telecommunications company. Major Amaysim shareholders include both Australian and foreign investment groups.
CommanderCommander is part of Vocus Communications – an ASX listed telecommunications company. It is unclear how much of Vocus may be Australian or foreign owned.
CovaUCovaU is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TPC Consolidated Limited (formerly Tel.Pacific Limited), which is an Australian company based in Sydney.
Diamond EnergyDiamond Energy is more than 80% Australian owned and is supported by a small cornerstone investment from Hanwha – a Korean energy company.
Discover EnergyAccording to its own website, Discover Energy is “100% Australian-owned, and run by a group of innovators, IT geeks, and disruptors of the traditional energy supply chain.”
DodoDodo is part of Vocus Communications – an ASX listed telecommunications company which also owns other brands, including iPrimus and Commander. It is unclear what the proportion of Vocus may be Australian owned.
Elysian EnergyElysian Energy had its start in Melbourne, where according to its website, it is Australian-owned and operated.
Ergon EnergyErgon Energy is a Queensland Government-owned corporation. Ergon Energy and all its subsidiaries are Australian-owned.
EnergyAustraliaEnergyAustralia is wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based energy company CLP Group. Originally, EnergyAustralia was a state-owned enterprise of the New South Wales Government, but was acquired by CLP-owned TruEnergy in 2011. The NSW Government kept the distribution service of the old business, which was subsequently renamed ‘Ausgrid’.
Energy LocalsEnergy Locals claims to be a 100% Australian-owned company, with CEO and founder, Adrian Merrick, its largest shareholder. The company is based in Melbourne.
Enova EnergyEnova Energy is based out of Byron Bay, led by CEO Felicity Stening. It prides itself on being the first community-owned energy retailer, with shareholders from different backgrounds.
GloBird EnergyGloBird Energy is claimed to be a 100% Australian owned company based in the Melbourne suburbs. The company describes itself as ‘fiercely independent’.
Kogan EnergyWhilst you’ve probably heard of Kogan, you may not know that this online retail giant has started selling energy, too. Whilst its headquarters are in Melbourne, it is ASX listed, meaning its ownership comes from both Australia and overseas.
LPELocality Planning Energy claims to be Australian owned, based in Maroochydore, Queensland.
Mojo PowerMojo Power was born and raised in Australia, making it an Australian-owned energy company in that respect. A couple of its key investors, however, include South Cross Venture Partners and Soft Bank China Capital, both of which are multinational capital venture firms.
Momentum EnergyMomentum Energy says it is 100% Australian-owned, as part of Hydro Tasmania – one of the country’s leading clean energy businesses.
NectrAccording to its website, Nectr was founded in Australia but is backed by Hanwha Energy – a Korean energy solutions company.
Origin EnergyOrigin Energy was founded as recently as 2000 following the demerger of the energy business from the building and construction arms of Boral Limited. Origin has a rich Australian history, however as an ASX listed company, it is owned by shareholders across the globe.
OVO EnergyOVO Energy is the latest retailer to reach Australian shores. The company hails from the United Kingdom, and currently only operates in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.
Pooled EnergyPooled Energy references its ownership on its LinkedIn page, stating “Pooled Energy is Australian owned, based and operated.”
PowerdirectPowerdirect was purchased by energy giant AGL in 2007. Being that AGL is partly Australian-owned, so too is Powerdirect.
PowershopPowershop is owned by Meridian Energy, which is Australian and New Zealand-owned. Meridian says it’s Australasia’s largest pure-renewable generator.
QEnergyQEnergy is a Brisbane-based electricity retailer that specialises in business energy retailer, while also servicing homes across most states. It is Australian-owned and operated.
ReAmped EnergyReAmped Energy is founded by Australian man, Jason Donald, who attracted investment support to start ReAmped. This investment in part came from New Zealand, though, according to ReAmped, many Australian employees also have part ownership of the company.
Red Energy & Lumo EnergyRed Energy and Lumo Energy are the retail subsidiaries of Snowy Hydro – an Australian energy generation and retailing company which also maintains the snowy mountains hydroelectricity scheme.
Simply EnergySimply Energy is the Australian retail arm of Engie (formally known as GDF Suez) – a French-based multinational energy company with a network spanning 70 countries.
SumoSumo claims that it is a 100% Australian-owned company and that its employees are local, based in Melbourne.
SynergySynergy is owned by the Western Australian Government with no other private interest. There is no suggestion of Synergy being privatised anytime soon.
Tango EnergyTango Energy (previously Pacific Hydro) is a Melbourne-based energy company and renewable energy generation business. While the company was founded in Australia, it was acquired by China’s State Power Investment Corporation in 2016.
1st Energy1st Energy claims to be 100% Australian owned, with business energy company, ERM Power, holding a large stake in it.
Does it matter if your energy company is Australian-owned?While it’s good to know about the ownership of your energy providers – and where your money goes when you pay your bill – it shouldn’t dictate your decision in terms of which company you choose. Sure, it’s good if your money stays in Australia and is invested in the local community, or renewable energy solutions. But it’s also important that you pay a fair price and receive good customer service. A foreign-owned energy company is just as capable of providing those things.
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How many times do we have to say it - ENERGY PRICES WILL NOT, REPEAT NOT COME DOWN.
Governments can huff and puff all they like, but they have told us this so many times and nothing has happened.
At best all that will happen is that energy companies will slow the price hikes. Under no circumstances whatsoever will they actually reduced prices or give us refunds.