Which energy companies are Australian owned?

Fact Checked

In this guide, Canstar Blue reveals which energy providers are Australian owned and why it matters when switching providers.

It’s not always clear which electricity providers are Australian owned and which are part of bigger international organisations. For example, EnergyAustralia is not actually an Australian-owned company. While being foreign-owned isn’t a negative thing, research has found that many consumers lean towards Australian-owned brands when comparing similar products or services. This Canstar guide will reveal which energy retailers are Australian-owned 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.

Electricity plans from Australian-owned companies

Here are the cheapest published electricity deals from the energy retailers currently promote themselves as such. This is not an endorsement of these retailers – nor an exhaustive list – but provides a guide to what’s on offer from Aussie-owned electricity providers. Read on for a longer list of companies and details about their ownership.

New South Wales plans from Australian companies

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that market themselves as Australian owned. This table contains products from referral partners†. 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. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Victorian plans from Australian companies

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that market themselves as Australian owned. This table contains products from referral partners†. 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. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

South East Queensland plans from Australian companies

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that market themselves as Australian owned. This table contains products from referral partners†. 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. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

South Australian plans from Australian companies

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that market themselves as Australian owned. This table contains products from referral partners†. 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. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Energy company ownership 2024

The 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.

Last updated: July 2024.

About these energy companies

ActewAGL

ActewAGL 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.

AGL

AGL 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 Energy

Alinta 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.

Amber Electric

According to its website, Amber Electric was founded in 2017 and is owned by co-CEOs Chris Thompson and Dan Adams. It is also backed by a handful of Australian investors including Square Peg Capital, Main Sequence Ventures and most recently CommBank.

Arcline by RACV

Launched as a partnership between Energy Locals and RACV, Arcline is operated locally but can only be considered partially Aussie-owned, thanks to Energy Locals’ US-based investor Quinbrook.

Aurora Energy

Aurora Energy is 100% owned by the Tasmanian Government.

CovaU

CovaU is a wholly owned subsidiary of TPC Consolidated Limited (formerly TEL. Pacific Limited), which is an Australian company based in Sydney.

Diamond Energy

A Diamond Energy spokesperson confirmed to Canstar Blue that the company is 100% Australian owned.

Discover Energy

According to its LinkedIn page, Discover Energy is “100% Australian owned, and run by a group of innovators, IT geeks and disruptors of the traditional energy supply chain.”

Dodo

Dodo 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.

EnergyAustralia

EnergyAustralia 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 New South Wales Government kept the distribution service of the old business, which was subsequently renamed ‘Ausgrid’.

Energy Locals

While Energy Locals is based and operated out of Australia, its investor Quinbrook operates in both Australia and the United States. However, Energy Locals’ CEO and founder Adrian Merrick is said to be the company’s largest shareholder. Energy Locals’ head office is based out of Melbourne.

Engie (Formerly Simply Energy)

Engie (formally known as GDF Suez) is a French-based multinational energy company with a network spanning 70 countries.

Ergon Energy

Ergon Energy is a Queensland Government owned corporation. Ergon Energy and all its subsidiaries are Australian owned.

Future X Power

Established in 2014, Future X Power is an Australian owned electricity provider, based in Brisbane, Queensland.

GEE Energy

GEE Energy claims that it is a ‘proudly independent, 100 per cent Australian owned and operated energy retailer’, with a call centre based in Brisbane.

GloBird Energy

GloBird Energy is claimed to be a 100% Australian owned company based in the Melbourne suburbs. The company describes itself as ‘fiercely independent’.

Glow Power

Glow Power are a new energy retailer that have recently entered the Australian market and are based in Victoria.

Kogan Energy

Whilst 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 shareholders overseas.

LPE

Locality Planning Energy claims to be Australian owned, based in Maroochydore, Queensland.

Lumo Energy

Lumo Energy and Red Energy are the retail subsidiaries of Snowy Hydro – an Australian energy generation and retailing company which also maintains the snowy mountains hydroelectricity scheme.

Momentum Energy

Momentum Energy says it is 100% Australian owned, as part of Hydro Tasmania – one of the country’s leading clean energy businesses.

Nectr

According to its website, Nectr was founded in Australia but is backed by Hanwha Energy Australia – a Korean energy solutions company.

Origin Energy

Origin Energy was founded in 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 Energy

OVO Energy hails from the United Kingdom, and currently operates in New South Wales, Victoria, South East Queensland and South Australia. It was fully acquired by AGL in 2024.

Powershop

Powershop is now owned by oil and gas multinational Shell. It was previously owned by a New Zealand-based renewable generational company.

Radian Energy

Radian Energy states it is 100% Australian owned, founded by David Aaskov and Dr. David Ireland – both of whom sought to “minimise the financial and environmental cost of energy”.

ReAmped Energy

ReAmped Energy is founded by Australian, Jason Donald, who attracted investment support to start ReAmped. This investment in part came from New Zealand and the United Kingdom though according to ReAmped, many Australian employees also have part ownership of the company.

Red Energy

Red 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.

Smart Energy

Smart Energy claims on its website that it is 100% Australian owned and operated.

Sumo

Sumo claims that it is a 100% Australian-owned company and that its employees are local, based in Melbourne.

Synergy

Synergy is owned by the Western Australian Government with no other private interest. There is no suggestion of Synergy being privatised anytime soon.

Tango Energy

Tango 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 Energy

1st Energy markets itself as an Australian-based provider according to its website, with business energy company, Shell Energy, holding a minor stake in it.

Does it matter if an energy company is Australian owned?

Being informed on an energy provider’s history, location, core interests and investments prior to commitment is the best way to ensure long-term satisfaction. An energy provider being Australian owned could be great for the local community’s economy, but that energy provider may still not provide the best price or customer service. A foreign-owned energy supplier may be able to provide renewable energy solutions or stronger discounts and special offers but have less-accessible call centres. Whatever the case may be, it is important to stay informed prior to making any decisions.