ActewAGL
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| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Utilities |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Canberra, Australia |
| Key people | Michael Costello, CEO John McKay, Chairman |
| Products | Utility services: Electricity Natural Gas Water Wastewater Green Energy |
| Revenue | A$592.6 million (2006-07) |
| Employees | 1,388 (at 30 June 2007) |
| Website | www.actewagl.com.au |
ActewAGL is Australia's first multi-utility to offer electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services in a single organisation. At the time of its formation it was the only multi-utility of its kind in Australia.[1]
ActewAGL comprises two joint ventures: a retail joint venture between AGL Energy and ACTEW Corporation and a distribution joint venture between Jemena and ACTEW Corporation.
ActewAGL provides utility services in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and South-east New South Wales.
[edit] History
ActewAGL was formed in October 2000 when the Australian Gas Light Company (AGL) and ACTEW Corporation, an ACT Government-owned enterprise, entered into Australia's first utility joint venture.[2]
Following October 2006 business dealings with AGL and Alinta, ownership of ActewAGL's retail arm was shared equally between AGL Energy and ACTEW Corporation and ownership of ActewAGL's distribution arm was shared equally between Alinta and ACTEW Corporation. Further changes to the distribution partnership occurred when a consortium including Singapore Power purchased Alinta in 2007. Alinta changed its name in 2008 to Jemena.[3] The distribution partnership is now owned equally by Jemena and ACTEW Corporation.
In February 2004, ActewAGL entered into a management agreement with TransACT Capital Communications Pty Ltd. This means that ActewAGL now manages the day-to-day operations of TransACT. The TransACT network provides access to full telecommunication services.[4]
[edit] Green initiatives
Since its beginning, ActewAGL has continued to undertake several innovative programs to help the environment. They include the following.
- Greenchoice – This is a program that lets residential and business customers support environmentally friendly green energy by paying a premium on their electricity bill (either fixed or percentage based plans). The additional payment is invested in renewable energy generation from sources like mini hydro, wind power and biomass.[5]
- The Greenchoice program is independently assessed by the Australian government's National Green Power Accreditation Program to guarantee that the green energy produced by ActewAGL comes from government-approved renewable energy sources.
- ActewAGL solar – The purpose of this initiative is to encourage the use of renewable energy sources, by offering support and advice to those interested in installing solar generation systems to their homes.[6]
- ActewAGL hydro – While most hydro-electric developments require the building of dams and lakes, ActewAGL's mini-hydro uses an existing water supply to provide electricity that would otherwise come from fossil-fuel power stations.[7]
- Solar farm – In early 2008 ActewAGL worked with the ACT Government to study the feasibility of developing a solar farm in the ACT. The study investigated the environmental impact, economic viability and educational benefits of such a facility.[8][9] In May 2009 the ACT Government called for expressions of interest to construct, own and operate a solar power facility in the ACT. The government specified the facility must be capable of delivering power to at least 10,000 Canberra homes. ActewAGL responded to this request and in December 2009 were advised that they had been shortlisted to move through to the next stage of the selection process.[10]
- Battery electric vehicle – ActewAGL is assisting Better Place Australia in the establishment of their first Australian electric vehicle network in Canberra. In July 2009, Better Place Australia announced that it had chosen Canberra for its first city-wide roll-out in Australia.[11] Better Place will commence installation of its charge spots and battery swap stations in 2011 and start supporting approximately 1,000 trial electric vehicle customers in Canberra from 2012. ActewAGL will support the electric vehicle network by supplying and distributing electricity from renewable sources.[12]
[edit] References
- ^ Khoo, V 2007, Australian Innovation: Towards a sustainable future, CL Creations, Land Cove
- ^ Wright, B 2003, Canberra & the Capital Region, a new focus, Focus Publishing Pty Ltd, NSW
- ^ Jemena media release 4 August 2008, 'Alinta LGA Ltd is now Jemena Ltd' http://www.jemena.com.au/media/mediaReleases/2008/source/080408.pdf
- ^ ActewAGL website, Our company, accessed 14 April 2008
- ^ Canberra tries to stamp on its carbon footprint http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10499227
- ^ Power-up for solar study http://www.anu.edu.au/anuie/index.php?pid=335
- ^ Mount Stromlo Mini Hydro, http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/challenge/members/actew_agl.html
- ^ ACT solar power facility http://www.actewagl.com.au/environment/solar/ACTsolarfeasibilitystudy.aspx
- ^ Solar farm given go-ahead http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/03/2353764.htm
- ^ Solar farms: tomorrow's forecast – sunny all the way http://www.actewagl.com.au/letspowerahead/environmental/solar.aspx
- ^ Better Place To Establish Electric Car Network In Canberra http://www.themotorreport.com.au/38153/better-place-to-establish-electric-car-network-in-canberra
- ^ Electric vehicles: tomorrow you won't fill up, you'll recharge. http://www.actewagl.com.au/letspowerahead/environmental/electricVehicles.aspx
