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About


The Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the peak national body representing gas and electricity distribution businesses throughout Australia.

Energy networks are the lower pressure gas pipes and lower voltage electricity lines that distribute gas and electricity from energy transmission systems directly to the doorsteps of energy customers.

With more than $35 billion in assets and 12 million customer connections, Australia’s energy networks provide the final step in the safe and reliable delivery of gas and electricity to households, businesses and industries.

ENA commenced operations in January 2004. It has replaced the Australian Gas Association’s Network Operators Committee and the Electricity Supply Association of Australia’s Distribution Directorate, and assumed the representational functions of these two associations on energy network issues.

Eighteen electricity and gas network companies are full members of ENA, providing governments, policy-makers and the community with a single point of reference for major energy network issues in Australia. Electricity transmission companies are also associate members.

ENA’s absolute focus is on issues affecting energy networks as a whole, and on issues affecting gas and electricity distribution networks separately.

These issues include the national and state government policy and regulatory environments under which energy networks must operate, and key technical issues such as network safety and security of supply, reliability and power quality, the management of peak energy demand and energy efficiency.

ENA is located in Canberra’s parliamentary precinct. Its Chairman is Shane Breheny, Chief Executive Officer, CitiPower/Power and its Chief Executive is Andrew Blyth.

Strategic Vision

ENA has developed a Strategic plan for 2010 and 2011 that outlines goals and achievements required to be recognised as Australia’s leading energy infrastructure advisory body.

The Energy Networks Association to be recognised as Australia’s leading energy infrastructure advisory body.

Climate Change Statement

Energy network businesses, and ENA understand their environmental obligations and are committed to practical action on climate change.

History

ENA commenced operations in January 2004. It has replaced the Australian Gas Association’s (AGA) Network Operators Committee and the Electricity Supply Association of Australia’s (ESAA) Distribution Directorate, and assumed the representational functions of these two associations on energy network issues.

At the same time, AGA became a company with the sole purpose of operating the AGA’s national Product Certification Schemes for gas appliances and components (a role the AGA had been undertaking for many years).

Also in January 2004, ESAA became the Energy Supply Association of Australia, an organisation tasked with providing a national forum and representation for energy supply companies in Australia.

Retail members of the former AGA and ESAA joined the Energy Retailers Association of Australia, which commenced operations during 2003.

The fact that ENA represents the interests of both gas and electricity network providers is a reflection of the significant changes that have occurred in Australian energy markets over the past decade.

The implementation of National Competition Policy has, in many cases, resulted in increased separation of ownership between the production (or generation), transmission, network and retail components of the gas and electricity sectors. At the same time, ownership and key issues have converged at the sector level (eg. at the energy networks level).

Where in the past one energy company may have been involved in each element of the energy chain, but for only one energy source (eg. the generation, transmission, distribution and retail of electricity), it might now undertake the distribution of both electricity and gas but not have an involvement in generation, production, transmission, or (in a number of cases) retail activities.

Given these developments, the membership structures under which AGA and ESAA used to operate had become less relevant to the various sectors of the energy chain.

That is why new organisations were developed, including the Energy Networks Association, Energy Supply Association of Australia, and Energy Retailers Association of Australia.