AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) is an Australian listedpublic company involved in both the generation and retailing of electricity and gas for residential and commercial use.[3] AGL is Australia's largest electricity generator, and the nation's largest carbon emitter.[4] In 2022, 83% of its energy came from burning coal.[5] It produces more emissions as a single company than the nations of New Zealand, Portugal or Sweden, according to its largest shareholder, Mike Cannon-Brookes, who named it "one of the most toxic companies on the planet".[6]
The Australian Gas Light Company was formed in Sydney in 1837, and supplied town gas for the first public lighting of a street lamp in Sydney in 1841.[11] AGL was the second company to list on the Sydney Stock Exchange.[12] The company gradually diversified into electricity and into a number of different locations.
ActewAGL, a joint venture between the Australian Gas Light Company and Icon Water, a government-owned enterprise of the ACT Government, was formed in October 2000 as Australia's first utility joint venture.[13] Twenty-five per cent owned by AGL Energy, ActewAGL provides electricity, natural gas, and telecommunication services to business and residential customers in the Australian Capital Territory and south-east New South Wales.[14]
In 2000, AGL purchased emerging telecommunications provider Dingo Blue from C&W Optus for $22m.[15] AGL closed Dingo Blue down in 2003 [16]
AGL had New Zealand assets including a gas distribution system in the Hutt Valley and Porirua area, owned through its 71% owned subsidiary Natural Gas Corporation. This network was sold to Vector in 2004 for NZ$814 million.[17] The company bought Transalta NZ's electricity retail business for NZ$824 million in 2001.[18] Subsequently, selling the electricity retail asset for a loss.[19]
On 6 October 2006, the Australian Gas Light Company and Alinta merged and restructured to create two new listed companies, a restructured Alinta Ltd and AGL Energy Ltd.[20]
In Victoria, in June 2012, AGL Energy acquired Loy Yang A Power Station and the Loy Yang coal mine.[21] Loy Yang A has four generating units with a combined capacity of 2,200 MW (3,000,000 hp).[21]
AGL announced in April 2015 and reaffirmed in September 2017 that it intends to close the Liddell Power Station in 2022.[23] The closure of this and other coal-burning power stations in Australia led to Prime MinisterMalcolm Turnbull, to seek advice from the Australian Energy Market Operator on extending the life of a number of them,[24] to head off future power shortages.[25] Turnbull said the government had been advised that if the Liddell plant were to close in 2022, there would be a 1,000 MW gap in base load, dispatchable power generation.[24]
In 2018, AGL was among 17 energy businesses that supported the launch of the Energy Charter, a global initiative aimed at bringing together all parts of the power supply chain to give customers more affordable and reliable energy.[26][27]
In 2019, AGL entered the telecommunications industry with the purchase of Southern Phone, a regional telecommunications company.[28]
In June 2021, AGL announced its intention to split into a bulk power generator and a carbon-neutral energy retailer. AGL Energy was to be rebranded as Accel Energy and hold the company's coal-fired power plants and wind farm contracts, while the electricity and gas retail assets were to be spun off into a separately listed company, AGL Australia.[29] In May 2022, the proposed split was abandoned with the chairman, two board members and CEO resigning, the company citing the proposal was unlikely to gain the required 75% shareholder approval.[30]
Carbon emissions output
Aerial view of AGL Macquarie Bayswater (upper left) and Liddell (center) power stations (the latter was closed in 2023), with coal mining operations visible in the background
The Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator publishes an annual list of the ten largest emitters of greenhouse gases. In the 2019-20 financial year, AGL came first place on the list, with reported emissions of 42.4 million tonnes,[3] which is equivalent to nine million cars on the road.
AGL has a diverse power generation portfolio—including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants—spread across traditional thermal generation as well as renewable sources including hydro and wind.[41] The following tables listing significant assets are based on AGL's 2016 Annual Report.[42]
In 2015 the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority ordered the suspension of AGL's Gloucester operations after finding toxic chemicals had been introduced into Hunter Water's systems.[49] The EPA subsequently found no "evidence of harm to the environment or pollution of waters"[50] and AGL was allowed to continue its Gloucester operations.[51]
In February 2016, AGL announced that exploration and production of natural gas assets would no longer be a core business for the company. This followed years of campaigning, including protests at shareholder meetings and a non-violent blockade of exploration sites, by anti-CSG community group Groundswell Gloucester.[52] This announcement included clarification that AGL would not proceed with the Gloucester gas project and that it would cease production at the Camden Gas Project in South West Sydney in 2023, twelve years earlier than previously proposed.[53]
AGL has implemented a decommissioning and rehabilitation program for its well sites and other infrastructure in the Gloucester region.[54] In November 2016, AGL commenced the progressive decommissioning and rehabilitation of wells at the Camden site.[55]
Power generation projects in development
Coopers Gap Wind Farm
In August 2017, it was announced that the Coopers Gap Wind Farm would proceed to construction, with AGL securing funding from the Powering Australian Renewables Fund.[45] When completed the 453 MW Coopers Gap Wind Farm will be the largest in Australia.[56] The final wind turbine at the Coopers Gap Wind Farm was completed in April 2020.
Silverton Wind Farm
In May 2017, it was announced that construction had commenced on the 200 MW Silverton Wind Farm in north western New South Wales.[46]
Barker Inlet Power Station
In June 2017, AGL announced the development of a new $295 million gas-fired generator in South Australia. The Barker Inlet Power Station, will replace two of the four Torrens Island A turbines which are expected to be decommissioned in late 2020. The island's B turbines will continue to operate as usual.[57] The Barker Inlet Power Station was officially completed and handed over to AGL in early 2020.
Crib Point Gas Import Jetty
In August 2017, Crib Point Import Jetty was announced as the preferred location for a new terminal importing gas from other markets.[58] The project is expected to cost $250 million, with construction expected to commence in 2021.[59]
In 2021, the Andrews State Government halted the project, despite gas shortages being forecasted, forcing AGL to announce that it would no longer proceed with the project.
Kanmantoo pumped hydro
In April 2019, AGL announced that it had acquired the right to develop a pumped hydroelectric energy storage project in the mined-out main pit of the Kanmantoo mine on the eastern side of the Adelaide Hills in South Australia.[60] The project is expected to be capable of storing and generating 250MW of electricity from 2024.[61] In early 2020, AGL announced that it would not be proceeding with the Kanmantoo Pumped Hydro project.
Powering Australian Renewables
In February 2016, AGL announced the creation of the Powering Australian Renewables Fund.[62] The Powering Australian Renewables Fund or PARF (now PowAR), owns and develops more than 1,000MW of large-scale renewable energy projects to support Australia's renewable energy capacity and transition to a low-carbon economy. Once fully invested, PARF expects to own approximately 10% of Australia's renewable energy capacity.[63]
A$1,218 million (2022)[2]
A$860 million (2022)[2]
