The Australian Energy Council (AEC) represents 21 major electricity and downstream natural gas businesses operating in competitive wholesale and retail energy markets. These businesses collectively generate the overwhelming majority of electricity in Australia and sell gas and electricity to over 10 million homes and businesses.
The energy council began operating from 1 January 2016. With Australia’s energy industry undergoing a period of rapid, transformative change member companies of the Energy Supply Association of Australia (esaa), Energy Networks Australia (ENA) and the Energy Retailers Association of Australia (ERAA) decided to reorganise and rationalise their representative associations in 2015.
From 1 January 2016, the merchant, non-network energy businesses commenced the Australian Energy Council and the ERAA merged into this new organisation. Matthew Warren was appointed as its inaugural Chief Executive. In July 2018, Sarah McNamara was appointed as Chief Executive of the Australian Energy Council.
The ENA continues to serve its network members and absorbed the responsibility for Grid Australia activities on behalf of the electricity transmission sector.