Pacific Power (Australia)
| Company type | Government-owned corporation |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electricity generation and transmission |
| Predecessor | Electricity Commission of New South Wales |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Defunct | 2003 |
| Fate | Segmented into TransGrid, Delta Electricity, Eraring Energy, and Macquarie Generation; consulting division sold to Connell Wagner |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | New South Wales |
Pacific Power functioned as the government-owned exclusive electricity producer for New South Wales, Australia, originating from the restructuring of the New South Wales Electricity Commission in 1995. Between 1995 and 2003, it was progressively segmented into TransGrid, Delta Electricity, Eraring Energy, and Macquarie Generation. During this timeframe, its consulting branch, Pacific Power International, was acquired by Connell Wagner.
Electricity Commission of New South Wales
The Electricity Commission of New South Wales, commonly known as Elcom, was a statutory authority responsible for managing electricity generation and high-voltage transmission across New South Wales. Established on 22 May 1950 through the Electricity Commission Act 1950, it consolidated power production that had previously been controlled by County Councils and railway entities. The commission took over significant infrastructure from major suppliers such as Southern Electricity Supply, Sydney County Council, Department of Railways, and the Electric Light and Power Supply Corporation (Balmain Company). It played a central role in coordinating electricity generation and distribution throughout the state.
Between 1950 and 1960, the commission increased its generation capacity substantially from 490 MW to 1800 MW by expanding existing facilities at Bunnerong, White Bay, Balmain, and Pyrmont power stations and bringing new plants online including Tallawarra (1954), Wangi (1956), and Wallerawang (1957).
Electricity Commission of New South Wales Trading as Pacific Power
In 1992, the Electricity Commission began operating under the commercial name Pacific Power.
Pacific Power
Established in 1995 following the transformation of the NSW Electricity Commission, Pacific Power operated during a period marked by deregulation efforts across Australian states aimed at introducing competition and lowering electricity prices. The company’s transmission assets were separated into TransGrid in 1995. By 1996, its generation operations were split between Delta Electricity and Macquarie Generation. In 2000, remaining power plants were transferred to Eraring Energy, while its consulting division was divested to Connell Wagner. The entity known as Pacific Power was formally wound up in 2003.