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==History==
==History==
Between 1936 and 1952, [[Sydney County Council]] was responsible for electricity generation and distribution in the [[City of Sydney]].<ref name=Ausgrid>[http://www.ausgrid.com.au/Common/About-us.aspx#.Wb9OyYpx3IE About-Ausgrid]</ref>. After the Electricity Commission of New South Wales was created in 1950 to manage electricity generation across the state. The SCC's [[Bunnerong Power Station|Bunnerong]] and [[Pyrmont Power Station]]s were transferred to the Electricity Commission in 1952; and the SCC and other municipal county councils became distributors of electricity only. The Prospect County Council was formed in 1957, as a spin-off from the Sydney County Council, and became [[Prospect Electricity]] in 1991, and was responsible for retailing electricity to consumers in the Greater Western Sydney region and was controlled by local councils in the area. In 1996 Prospect Electricity was merged with [[Illawarra Electricity]] to form [[Integral Energy]], in preparation for the [[National Electricity Market]] and electricity deregulation.
Between 1936 and 1952, [[Sydney County Council]] was responsible for electricity generation and distribution in the [[City of Sydney]].<ref name=Ausgrid>[http://www.ausgrid.com.au/Common/About-us.aspx#.Wb9OyYpx3IE About-Ausgrid]</ref>. After the Electricity Commission of New South Wales was created in 1950 to manage electricity generation across the state. The SCC's [[Bunnerong Power Station|Bunnerong]] and [[Pyrmont Power Station]]s were transferred to the Electricity Commission in 1952; and the SCC and other municipal county councils became distributors of electricity only. The Prospect County Council was formed in 1957, as a spin-off from the Sydney County Council, and became [[Prospect Electricity]] in 1991, and was responsible for retailing electricity to consumers in the Greater Western Sydney region and was controlled by local councils in the area. In 1996 Prospect Electricity was merged with [[Illawarra Electricity]] to form [[Integral Energy]], in preparation for the [[National Electricity Market]] and electricity deregulation. [[Country Energy]] was formed on 1 July 2001 with the merger of New South Wales rural-based energy retailers, Great Southern Energy, Advance Energy and Northpower.<ref>NSW Auditor General, [http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/publications/reports/financial/2001/vol7/1007GreatSouthernEnergy.pdf Great Southern Engery] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728074526/http://audit.nsw.gov.au/publications/reports/financial/2001/vol7/1007GreatSouthernEnergy.pdf |date=2008-07-28 }}, 2001</ref>


===Upgrading and expansion power station network===
===Upgrading and expansion power station network===
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The [[privatisation]] of the State's electricity assets proposed in 1997<ref> Treasury Briefing Paper, 17/1997 [http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/publications.nsf/key/ElectricityandPrivatisation]</ref> began a long running controversy which extended into the 21st century.
The [[privatisation]] of the State's electricity assets proposed in 1997<ref> Treasury Briefing Paper, 17/1997 [http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/publications.nsf/key/ElectricityandPrivatisation]</ref> began a long running controversy which extended into the 21st century.


On 14 December 2010 [[Kristina Keneally]] Labor government sold the state's electricity retailing assets for $5.3&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite news|author=15 December 2010 4:33&nbsp;am |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/nsw-reaps-53bn-from-electricity-sale/story-fn3dxity-1225971248092 |title=NSW reaps $5.3bn from electricity sale |publisher=The Australian |date=15 December 2010 |accessdate=26 March 2011}}</ref> The sales were as follows:
On 14 December 2010 [[Kristina Keneally]] Labor government sold the state's electricity retailing assets for [[Australian dollar|A$]]5.3&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite news|author=15 December 2010 4:33&nbsp;am |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/nsw-reaps-53bn-from-electricity-sale/story-fn3dxity-1225971248092 |title=NSW reaps $5.3bn from electricity sale |publisher=The Australian |date=15 December 2010 |accessdate=26 March 2011}}</ref> The sales were as follows:
* [[Origin Energy]] bought [[Integral Energy]], [[Country Energy]], and electricity trading rights for [[Eraring Energy]], for $3.25 billion,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Country Energy sold to Origin|date=17 December 2010|publisher=The Young Witness|accessdate=17 December 2010|url=http://www.youngwitness.com.au/news/local/news/general/country-energy-sold-to-origin/2028447.aspx?storypage=1}}</ref>
* [[Origin Energy]] bought [[Integral Energy]], the retail division of [[Country Energy]] (including the Country Energy brand),<ref>{{cite news|title=Board members resign over power sell-off |url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/board-members-resign-over-power-selloff-20101215-18x1g.html|accessdate=17 December 2010|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=15 December 2010}}</ref> and electricity trading rights for [[Eraring Energy]], for $3.25 billion,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Country Energy sold to Origin|date=17 December 2010|publisher=The Young Witness|accessdate=17 December 2010|url=http://www.youngwitness.com.au/news/local/news/general/country-energy-sold-to-origin/2028447.aspx?storypage=1}}</ref> The remainder of Country Energy was re-branded as [[Essential Energy]] on 1 March 2011.<ref name=sale/><ref>{{cite news|last=Stevens|first=Rodney|title=Same company, different label|url=http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/story/2011/03/01/same-company-different-label-country-energy/|accessdate=1 March 2011|work=The Daily Examiner |date=1 March 2011}}</ref>

* Hong-Kong listed [[TRUenergy]] bought the retail business of the [[EnergyAustralia (state government enterprise)|government entity EnergyAustralia]] and its name, the right to trade the output generated by Delta Electricity power stations west of Sydney, as well as three development sites including one at the Mt Piper Extension near Lithgow and two at Marulan, for $2.035 billion. TRUenergy was also to provide an additional $240 million for capital improvements at the Wallerawang power station. Subsequently, on 2 March 2011, the government changed the name of the remainder of the government-controlled EnergyAustralia to [[Ausgrid]], and TRUenergy in 2012 changed its name to [[EnergyAustralia]].<ref name=Ausgrid>[http://www.ausgrid.com.au/Common/About-us/About-Ausgrid.aspx]</ref>
* Hong-Kong listed [[TRUenergy]] bought the retail business of the [[EnergyAustralia (state government enterprise)|government entity EnergyAustralia]] and its name, the right to trade the output generated by Delta Electricity power stations west of Sydney, as well as three development sites including one at the Mt Piper Extension near Lithgow and two at Marulan, for $2.035 billion. TRUenergy was also to provide an additional $240 million for capital improvements at the Wallerawang power station. Subsequently, on 2 March 2011, the government changed the name of the remainder of the government-controlled EnergyAustralia to [[Ausgrid]], and TRUenergy in 2012 changed its name to [[EnergyAustralia]].<ref name=Ausgrid>[http://www.ausgrid.com.au/Common/About-us/About-Ausgrid.aspx]</ref>


Revision as of 00:13, 20 September 2017

A disused ELCOM transmission tower

The Electricity Commission of New South Wales, sometimes called Elcom, was a statutory authority responsible for electricity generation and its bulk transmission throughout New South Wales, Australia. The Commission was established on 22 May 1950 by the Electricity Commission Act 1950 to take control of power generation in the State. The Commission acquired the power stations and main transmission lines of the four major supply authorities: Southern Electricity Supply, Sydney County Council, the Department of Railways and the Electric Light and Power Supply Corporation Ltd, known as the Balmain Electric Light Company, to acquire the Balmain Power Station.[1][2] The Commission was responsible for the centralised co-ordination of electricity generation and transmission in the State, and some local councils continued to be distributors of electricity only.

History

Between 1936 and 1952, Sydney County Council was responsible for electricity generation and distribution in the City of Sydney.[3]. After the Electricity Commission of New South Wales was created in 1950 to manage electricity generation across the state. The SCC's Bunnerong and Pyrmont Power Stations were transferred to the Electricity Commission in 1952; and the SCC and other municipal county councils became distributors of electricity only. The Prospect County Council was formed in 1957, as a spin-off from the Sydney County Council, and became Prospect Electricity in 1991, and was responsible for retailing electricity to consumers in the Greater Western Sydney region and was controlled by local councils in the area. In 1996 Prospect Electricity was merged with Illawarra Electricity to form Integral Energy, in preparation for the National Electricity Market and electricity deregulation. Country Energy was formed on 1 July 2001 with the merger of New South Wales rural-based energy retailers, Great Southern Energy, Advance Energy and Northpower.[4]

Upgrading and expansion power station network

Between 1950 and 1960, the Commission more than tripled power capacity in the State, from 490 megawatts to 1800. At first, this involved completing the expansions of Bunnerong, White Bay, Balmain, and Pyrmont, and completing new stations already designed by the Department of Railways: Tallawarra near Port Kembla (1954), Wangi, at Lake Macquarie (1956), and Wallerawang, near Lithgow (1957).[5]

Breakup and reform

In 1989, the state government formed Sydney Electricity, a government controlled corporation, to take control of electricity distribution from the municipal councils.[3] In 1996, Sydney Electricity was merged with Orion Energy to form EnergyAustralia, a government-controlled enterprise.[6][7]

In the early 1990s, Australian state governments began to deregulate state owned monopoly electricity commissions in order to promote competition, customer choice and potentially cheaper electricity.[8] The Commission adopted the trading name Pacific Power in 1992. The Electricity Commission was corporatised in 1995 as Pacific Power (Australia).

In 1992, the coal mines owned and operated by the Electricity Commission (ELCOM Collieries) was split off into a new government organanisation called Powercoal. In 1995, the transmission assets were split off into a new government organisation called TransGrid, and new distributors and retailers set up. In 1996, two new entities were split off - Delta Electricity and Macquarie Generation. In 2000, the remaining power stations were transferred to a new entity, Eraring Energy, and the consulting business sold to Connell Wagner.

Pacific Power was then closed in 2003.[9]

Privatisation

The privatisation of the State's electricity assets proposed in 1997[10] began a long running controversy which extended into the 21st century.

On 14 December 2010 Kristina Keneally Labor government sold the state's electricity retailing assets for A$5.3 billion.[11] The sales were as follows:

  • Hong-Kong listed TRUenergy bought the retail business of the government entity EnergyAustralia and its name, the right to trade the output generated by Delta Electricity power stations west of Sydney, as well as three development sites including one at the Mt Piper Extension near Lithgow and two at Marulan, for $2.035 billion. TRUenergy was also to provide an additional $240 million for capital improvements at the Wallerawang power station. Subsequently, on 2 March 2011, the government changed the name of the remainder of the government-controlled EnergyAustralia to Ausgrid, and TRUenergy in 2012 changed its name to EnergyAustralia.[3]

In January 2011, eight of the directors of the Commission quit in protest over the proposed sale of trading rights to the output of generators.[16] After criticism of the privatisation plans, the Government abandoned further electricity privatisation. Also, there were no bidders.[17] The Labor government was soundly defeated at the 2011 state election held on 26 March, suffering a overall swing of over 16%[18] (not all of it due to electricity privatisation plans).

During the 2015 state election the Mike Baird Liberal government campaigned on a controversial plan to lease 49% of the state-owned electricity distribution network (known as the "poles and wires") to deliver an ambitious transport and social infrastructure program. Labor, supported by the state's union movement, ran on an anti-privatisation platform.

The plan enjoyed significant support, including from business groups seeking lower electricity prices, such as the Energy Users' Association, the Business Council and the Australian Industry Group; and by transport lobby groups Infrastructure Partnerships Australia and the Tourism and Transport Forum.[19] In addition, a number of senior Labor figures came out in support, including former Prime Minister Paul Keating, former NSW Treasurer Michael Costa, and former federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson. Following the election, former Labor Premiers Bob Carr and Morris Iemma and former Labor Treasurer Michael Egan added their voices in support. Full privatisation of poles and wires also had the support of Australia's Productivity Commission.[20]

That said, the plan was opposed by Labor, the Greens, the Shooters & Fishers and a number of unions. The plan also polled poorly and attracted little support on the ABC's Vote Compass site.[21]

In 2014, Macquarie Generation was sold to AGL Energy for $1,505 million.[22] The NSW Government sold the remaining asset of Delta Electricity, the Vales Point Power Station (which has a maximum capacity of 1,320 megawatts (1,770,000 hp)), to Sunset Power International for $1 million in November 2015.[23]

References

  1. ^ "Electricity Commission of New South Wales". NSW Department of Records. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 28 September 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Balmain Electric Light Company Purchase Act 1950 (NSW)
  3. ^ a b c About-Ausgrid Cite error: The named reference "Ausgrid" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ NSW Auditor General, Great Southern Engery Archived 2008-07-28 at the Wayback Machine, 2001
  5. ^ "Conde, Harold Graydon". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 28 September 2007.
  6. ^ http://trove.nla.gov.au/people/531107?c=people
  7. ^ "Power for the People: A history of electricity in Sydney". Jobson, S. Retrieved 27 September 2007.
  8. ^ "Electricity Deregulation Outside the New South Wales and Victorian Markets" (PDF). Roarty, M. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 July 2007. Retrieved 28 September 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "Pacific Power (Dissolution) Bill". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2007-10-19. Retrieved 2008-04-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Treasury Briefing Paper, 17/1997 [1]
  11. ^ 15 December 2010 4:33 am (15 December 2010). "NSW reaps $5.3bn from electricity sale". The Australian. Retrieved 26 March 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Board members resign over power sell-off". The Sydney Morning Herald. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  13. ^ "Country Energy sold to Origin". The Young Witness. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference sale was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Stevens, Rodney (1 March 2011). "Same company, different label". The Daily Examiner. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  16. ^ 24 January 2011 12:00 am (24 January 2011). "Keneally done for as rout looms". The Australian. Retrieved 26 March 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ "Keneally drops electricity privatisation plans". Abc.net.au. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  18. ^ Nicholls, Sean (28 March 2011). "History delivers ultimate power to O'Farrell". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media.
  19. ^ http://repoweringnsw.org.au
  20. ^ "Inquiry report - Electricity Network Regulation Productivity Commission". Pc.gov.au. 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
  21. ^ "How the State Government's plan to lease the poles and wires affects rural New South Wales". ABC Rural (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 2015-03-10. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
  22. ^ https://www.agl.com.au/about-agl/media-centre/article-list/2014/september/agl-completes-sale-of-macquarie-generation-and-announces-leadership-change
  23. ^ Potter, Ben (19 November 2015). "NSW government sells Vales Point power station for $1m". Australian Financial Review (Subscription Required). Retrieved 22 November 2015.
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