Canberrans have greater energy choices from today with Origin - Australia's largest integrated energy company - now selling gas and electricity to ACT homes and small businesses.

Until now, the ACT has had only two energy retailers to choose from - while customers in other states have enjoyed the benefits of much greater competition. Victoria has 16 active electricity retailers, South Australia 13, New South Wales 12 and South East Queensland 10.1

"The majority of gas customers in ACT and almost half of electricity customers surveyed do not even know they have a choice of energy retailer," says Frank Calabria, Chief Executive Officer, Energy Markets, Origin.2

"By opening our gas and electricity business for customers in the ACT, Origin will provide locals with many benefits that they have been asking for."

A survey conducted by Nature Reserach highlighted a number of things that customers expect from their energy retailer, with seventy-one per cent of respondents believing that it is important to have a range of energy retailers to choose from.

No more exit fees for households

Earlier this year, Origin became the first major energy retailer to abolish exit fees from all of its home energy plans - something that ninety-three per cent of ACT survey respondents said was important to them.

Open longer

Reflecting the needs of three quarters of ACT residents surveyed, Origin's Australian based call centre is open from 7am - 9pm Monday to Friday meaning that locals can contact Origin when it is more convenient for them.

Flexible payment

Three quarters of ACT residents surveyed want their energy retailer to provide flexible bill payment options. Origin customers have the choice of being able to pay their bills in weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments.

Helping customers save

Ninety-five per cent of ACT residents surveyed want the discounts on their energy plan to be easy to access. ACT customers who sign-up to Origin's eSaver plan online can receive up to 14% off Origin's electricity usage charges and 8% off Origin's natural gas charges for 12 months if they pay their bills on time and receive their bills via email.

Customers who choose to pay their bills by direct debit can get a further 1% off Origin's usage charges, plus a $50 credit towards their natural gas charges (after 3 months) if they sign up to both fuels by 31 October 2014.

"Simply by shopping around, customers can save money," added Mr Calabria. "A recent competition review from the Australian Energy Market Commission showed that some ACT customers could save at least $230 a year if they changed retailers in 2012-13 depending on the plan they were on and the plan they switched to."

Origin is also the nation's largest green energy retailer, providing Canberra residents with a choice of green energy options from as little as $1 extra per week.

For more information about Origin's arrival in ACT and the benefits of choosing Origin, customers should visit www.originenergy.com.au/ACT.

To compare offers between retailers, customers are encouraged to visit the Australian Energy Regulator's independent website http://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/

  1. Australian Energy Market Commission, 2014 Retail Competition Review, Final Report, 22 August 2014, Sydney
  2. Australian Energy Market Commission, 2014 Retail Competition Review, Final Report, 22 August 2014, Sydney
  3. Survey of 1143 Australian residents including 125 in ACT, conducted by Nature, 28 August - 1 September 2014
  4. As above
  5. As above
  6. Research conducted by Nature, 28 August - 1 September 2014. Sample of 125 ACT residents
  7. Research conducted by Nature, 28 August - 1 September 2014. Sample of 125 ACT residents
  8. These offers aren't available everywhere. Discounts don't apply to any other charges such as GreenPower, Green Gas or supply charges, and the pay on time discount isn't available to Power On customers who aren't using direct debit. 2. You'll continue to receive your bills via email after the energy plan period unless you change your preference to post. 3. For more information on the above or to see our direct debit terms, visit originenergy.com.au/ ACTenergy. A $50 (incl. GST) credit towards your natural gas charges will be applied to your bill after 3 months of energy supply, if you switch both your natural gas and electricity to Origin by 31 October 2014.

For further information please contact:

Media
Stuart Osbourne
External Affairs
Ph: +61 3 9652 5781
Mobile: +61 427 586 401

About Origin Energy

Origin Energy (ASX: ORG) is the leading Australian integrated energy company focused on gas and oil exploration and production, power generation and energy retailing. A member of the S&P/ASX 20 Index, the company has more than 6,000 employees and is a leading producer of gas in eastern Australia. Origin is Australia's largest energy retailer servicing 4.3 million electricity, natural gas and LPG customer accounts and has the country's largest and one of the most flexible generation portfolios with approximately 6,010 MW of capacity, through either owned generation or contracted rights. Origin's strategic positioning and portfolio of assets provide flexibility, stability and significant opportunities for growth across the energy industry. Through Australia Pacific LNG, its incorporated joint venture with ConocoPhillips and Sinopec, Origin is developing one of Australia's largest CSG to LNG projects based on Australia's largest 2P CSG reserves base.

In New Zealand, Origin is the major shareholder in Contact Energy, a leading integrated energy company, operating geothermal, thermal and hydro generation facilities and servicing electricity, gas and LPG customers across both the North and South islands. Origin is also a major operator and participant in petroleum exploration acreage in New Zealand.

Origin has a strong focus on ensuring the sustainability of its operations, is the largest green energy retailer in Australia and has significant investments in renewable energy technologies.

distributed by