Jackgreen
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electricity provider, Renewable energy |
| Founded | June 2001 |
| Defunct | December 18, 2009 |
| Fate | Entered voluntary administration; suspended from National Electricity Market |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Andrew Randall (former Managing Director), John Smith (former CEO), Peter Vines (former Executive General Manager Retail), Greg Martin (former CEO) |
| Products | Green energy with renewable content between 10% and 100% |
Number of employees | 100 |
Jackgreen Energy was an Australian electricity provider specializing in renewable energy, recognized as the country's largest niche retailer in this sector before its downfall in late 2009. The company employed roughly 100 individuals and catered to an estimated 75,000 customers. In 2007, Jackgreen expanded its portfolio by acquiring Easy Being Green, a carbon offset initiative. On 18 December 2009, the market operator suspended Jackgreen from participation in the National Electricity Market. Its offerings included green energy options with renewable content varying between 10% and 100%.
History
Established in June 2001, Jackgreen secured a retail license in New South Wales by March 2002 and became a participant in the National Electricity Market Code as of January 2004. The company joined the Electricity & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) scheme in June 2005.
The founding team and senior leadership featured Andrew Randall (who served as Managing Director until his dismissal), John Smith (ex-CEO of Australian Energy Limited), Peter Vines (former Executive General Manager Retail at Origin Energy), and Greg Martin (previous CEO of AGL Limited), who assumed leadership following Smith’s retirement. Randall contributed over two decades of expertise in finance and the energy industry, emphasizing expansion strategies for emerging Australian enterprises.
In August 2009, Jackgreen reported a loss amounting to A$7.08 million. By 18 December 2009, facing financial strain including outstanding debts to NSW supplier Integral Energy, the company entered voluntary administration. Concurrently, the Australian Energy Market Operator suspended Jackgreen’s trading activities.
After the company’s collapse, certain customers awaited refunds for prepaid services that were never delivered. Conversely, Jackgreen was owed more than $5 million from customers with unsettled accounts. The firm’s assets were subsequently purchased by Green Box Ltd, an entity associated with Greg Martin.
In December 2009, Integral Energy initiated legal proceedings against Jackgreen concerning an unpaid sum of $808,983.
EWON pinpointed several primary reasons behind Jackgreen’s failure:
- Marketing strategies targeting low-income and vulnerable populations
- Persistent issues with billing systems resulting in delayed invoicing
- Deficient credit control leading to elevated debt levels
- Absence of an effective hardship policy for customers facing difficulties
Connection to Elementus Energy
John Smith currently holds the positions of Chairman and Non-Executive Director at Elementus Energy. Ashleigh J. Antflick, who formerly served as General Manager of Strategic Operations at Jackgreen, now occupies the role of General Manager at Elementus Energy. Elementus is an Australian renewable energy firm engaged in solar projects located in Spain (Lorca and Totana) as well as Uriarra Village within Australia.
See also
- Uriarra Village
- Green electricity in Australia
- Green energy
- Renewable energy commercialisation in Australia