ActewAGL — frequently asked questions
What is ActewAGL?
ActewAGL was set up in October 2000 when the Australian Gas Light Company (AGL), a major private sector group, and ACTEW Corporation, a government-owned enterprise, entered into Australia's first utility joint venture. Following October 2006 business dealings between 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. The distribution partnership is now shared equally between Singapore Power and ACTEW Corporation. Alinta subsequently changed its name to Jemena and is a subsidiary of Singapore Power.
ActewAGL is Australia's first multi-utility to offer electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services.
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. It offers telephony, high-speed data and video services from a number of providers to residential, business and government customers in the ACT.
We offer you the convenience of dealing with one provider for almost all of your lifestyle needs. We offer electricity and natural gas at competitive prices, dependable internet access and through our partnership with TransACT Communications, can also offer you attractive national and international telephone call rates.
Our customers have access to:
- top quality customer service
- flexible payment options, including direct debit
- our award-winning website where you can manage your accounts by registering for epayplus
- customer rewards with our ActewAGL Essentials magazine, packed with special offers and up-to-date news
- Greenchoice — save the environment and help us purchase more electricity from renewable sources, such as hydro, wind and biomass, rather than from fossil-fuel sources.
Our vision is clear — to connect with our customers. Our mission is to ensure that the best interests of our customers, owners and staff are considered in everything we do.
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Is ActewAGL a joint venture?
ActewAGL is made up of two partnerships, one retail and one distribution. ActewAGL Retail is a joint venture equally owned (via subsidiary companies) by AGL Energy Limited and by ACTEW Corporation Limited. ActewAGL Distribution is a joint venture equally owned (via subsidiary companies) by Singapore Power Limited and by ACTEW Corporation Limited.
The board of ActewAGL is made up of three members appointed jointly by the AGL Energy-owned partner and by the Singapore Power-owned partner and three appointed by the ACTEW-owned partners.
The board governs the business of the ActewAGL Retail and ActewAGL Distribution partnerships on behalf of the partners. The obligations of members of the board are set out in the ACTEW/AGL Umbrella Agreement, and all members must perform their duties in good faith and in the best interests of the partnerships as a whole.
Meet the ActewAGL joint venture team
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Who is on ActewAGL's executive team?
The business of the partnerships is managed by the Chief Executive Officer, while the financial affairs of the partnerships are managed by the Chief Finance Officer. Both of these officers are appointed by the ActewAGL joint venture board on behalf of all the partners. In addition, ActewAGL Distribution has six divisions headed by general managers (the Chief Finance Officer is the general manager of the Finance and Resources division). They, together with the General Manager of ActewAGL Retail, all report to the Chief Executive Officer.
Meet the ActewAGL executive team
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How is ActewAGL structured?
ActewAGL comprises two partnerships — ActewAGL Distribution and ActewAGL Retail.
The ActewAGL Distribution partners are ACTEW Distribution Limited and Jemena Networks (ACT) Pty Ltd, whose ultimate owner is Singapore Power. Under our distribution arm:
ActewAGL Networks plans, develops, constructs, operates and maintains the electricity network in the ACT and, through a contractor, the gas networks in the ACT, Queanbeyan and Nowra.
ActewAGL Water division provides water and wastewater services under contract to ACTEW Corporation which owns the ACT's water and wastewater assets.
The ActewAGL Retail partners are ACTEW Retail Limited and AGL ACT Retail Investments Proprietary Limited. Under our retail arm ActewAGL supplies electricity and natural gas services to customers.
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What are ActewAGL's business initiatives?
ECOWISE Environmental is owned by the ActewAGL Distribution partners and offers services such as:
- data management services
- scientific laboratory services
- flood hydrology
- geographic information systems (GIS)
- sewer and trade waste
- water resources
- instrumentation facility
- environmental monitoring
- mining services
- quality assurance
- consultancy and training.
TransACT Communications Pty Limited is building and managing an advanced broadband communications network across Canberra. ACTEW Corporation and the Jemena group are shareholders in TransACT, whose services include:
- permanent high-speed internet connections
- free to air and pay television services
- fixed line telephone services.
- video on demand
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What are ActewAGL's energy initiatives?
ActewAGL solar
This ActewAGL initiative is working to encourage the use of renewable energy sources, offering support and advice to those interested in installing solar generation systems to their homes.
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.
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Does ActewAGL have environment values?
ActewAGL values safe and environmentally friendly practices and strives to provide energy, water and sewerage services in an economically and ecologically sustainable way.
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Can I view ActewAGL publications online?
For your convenience, a range of ActewAGL publications are available in HTML and/or PDF format (Acrobat Reader required). Refer to the 'Publications' option on our website for a full list of publications.
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With whom does ActewAGL have community partnerships?
We support a variety of local education initiatives and events which demonstrates our commitment to education and the community. These initiatives and events include the Australian Science Festival, ACT Training and Excellence Awards, The Smith Family's Learning for Life program and Young Achievement Australia.
Koomarri — a local organisation that provides services for people with a disability — and ActewAGL have enjoyed a rewarding four-year cooperation.
ActewAGL partnered with the ACT Department of Education, Youth and Family Services in 1999, to develop the ActewAGL education website specifically for our schools. The website provides information about local electricity, natural gas, water and sewerage services.
Integral to our support of Koomarri is our relationship with Floriade, Canberra's annual flower festival. During Floriade we run the high-profile ActewAGL Scarecrow competition, open to schools, businesses and non-profit organisations. All proceeds from the competition, and a donation wishing well at the ActewAGL Children's Village, are given to Koomarri.
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Who benefits from ActewAGL sponsorships?
ActewAGL's sponsorship program supports these key areas:
- Academic
- Arts
- Business
- Charity/not-for-profit
- Community
- Environment
- Social/health
- Sporting
A wide range of local and regional charities, non-profit organisations and community groups benefit from ActewAGL support, through in-kind and cash sponsorships. If you are interested in being sponsored by ActewAGL, review our sponsorship guidelines. If you are interested in discussing your sponsorship proposal call us on 13 14 93 or email sponsorshipproposals@actewagl.com.au.
For a full list of ActewAGL sponsorships please view our community support page.
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What products and services does ActewAGL offer businesses?
- Electricity – ActewAGL provides cost-effective energy sale contracts, account consolidation, advisory, billing and metering services to businesses. ActewAGL can also provide environmentally focused solutions to your electricity requirements.
- Natural gas – ActewAGL is committed to improving your business's performance leaving you to concentrate on running your core business. We provide cost-effective energy management services to businesses.
- Water and wastewater – The ACT's water and wastewater assets are 100 per cent owned by ACTEW Corporation. ActewAGL provides water and wastewater services through an agreement with ACTEW Corporation. ActewAGL can provide your business with a range of water and wastewater consultancy services.
- Internet Services – Grapevine is ActewAGL's internet service provider. We can offer you reliable and fast internet access and a variety of dial-up and broadband plans suited to your business.
- Green energy – No matter what business you're in, everyone can help the environment by supporting renewable-energy generation
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