Electricity and gas | Essential Services Commission

OVO Energy Pty Ltd – gas retail licence

OVO Energy Pty Ltd (ACN 623 475 089) applied for a licence to sell gas by retail under section 25 of the Gas Industry Act 2001 (Vic).

We may grant or refuse to grant applications for any reason we consider appropriate having regard to our objectives under the Gas Industry Act 2001 (Vic) and the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 (Vic).

We granted the licence on 25 June 2020.

Sector

Electricity and gas

Date

Consultation closes 4 May 2020

An image showing large powerlines running across several large green paddocks.

Media releases

03 April 2020

New rules to modernise Victoria’s energy grid

Victoria’s Electricity Distribution Code has been updated to meet the future needs of the state’s energy grid and support customers with technologies such as solar power.

Media releases

31 March 2020

Disconnections down as energy reforms take effect

The state’s independent economic energy regulator says prices are remaining stable with disconnections falling and fewer discounts have conditions attached.

Media releases

27 March 2020

Safety net for Victorians suffering energy bill stress

The state’s energy regulator has reassured Victorians experiencing energy bill stress as a result of summer bushfires and the coronavirus outbreak that help is available.

Real Utilities Pty Limited – electricity retail licence and gas retail licence

Licences granted

On 19 March 2020, Real Utilities Pty Limited (ACN 150 290 814) applied for a licence to sell electricity by retail under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) a licence to sell gas by retail under section 25 of the Gas Industry Act 2001 (Vic).

We granted the licences on 21 October 2020.

Licences varied

The licences were last varied on 3 September 2025.

The licences can be accessed via the resources tab.

Sector

Electricity and gas

Date

Consultation closes 16 April 2020

An image showing a gavel resting in the forefront of the picture, while a set of hands writes on a piece of paper in the background.

Media releases

17 March 2020

Alinta Energy penalised for second time in two years

Alinta Energy has paid penalties totalling $280,000 for again allegedly using door-to-door sales agents to switch Victorians to new energy contracts without their consent.

Cherry Tree Wind Farm Pty Ltd – electricity generation and wholesale licence

Cherry Tree Wind Farm (ABN 30 134 444 947) applied for a licence under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) to generate electricity for supply or sale and to sell electricity by wholesale.

The applicant proposed to generate electricity using 16 wind turbines (total capacity 57.6MW) at Cherry Tree Range in Mitchell Shire located approximately 90km North-North East of Melbourne, Victoria.

We may grant or refuse to grant applications for any reason we consider appropriate having regard to our objectives under the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) and the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 (Vic).

On 22 April 2020 we granted the licence.

Sector

Electricity and gas

Date

Consultation closes 3 April 2020

An image of Essential Services Commissioner Kate Symons.

Staff articles

28 February 2020

Clear and fair contracts - rebuilding trust in the energy market - notes from the chair

Speech by Essential Services Commission chairperson Kate Symons at the media conference for the Ensuring Contracts are Clear and Fair final decision

Media releases

28 February 2020

Regulator puts end to ‘bait and switch’ energy deals

Energy companies will no longer be able to ‘bait and switch’ customers by offering very low prices only to increase the price within months following a rule change by the state’s energy regulator.

A photo of a house roof with solar panels on top

Media releases

25 February 2020

Increased solar uptake lowers minimum tariff

Falling market expectations of future energy prices based on an uptake of solar power has resulted in a lower minimum solar feed-in tariff for the next financial year.