How the energy market works

Your bill might be from Alinta Energy, but we’re just the last link in the energy supply chain. Here’s a quick who’s who of the people who power your world.

The electricity supply chain

There are three main participants in the Australian electricity industry: generators, transporters/distributors and retailers.

Generators

Generators use power stations to produce electricity using coal, gas, wind, solar energy and other sources. As well as being a retailer, Alinta Energy is also a generator of electricity. We operate seven power stations across Australia and New Zealand and produce approximately 2,000MW of power annually.

Transporters and Distributors

Once the power is generated, it needs carrying to homes or businesses – often over thousands of kilometres.

That’s what transporters and distributors do. They own the power poles and lines that carry electricity (transmission lines carry high voltages over long distances, whilst distribution lines carry lower voltages to your front door), as well as the transformers that vary the voltage so it can arrive efficiently and safely at your power sockets. The distributor is also responsible for reading and maintaining your meter.

Illustration of person on the phone with their energy retailer.

Retailers

Retailers like Alinta Energy are the customer service end of the electricity supply chain. We package your energy supply into affordable deals. We make sure you’re billed correctly for your usage. And we’re there to help if things go wrong.

The gas supply chain

Like electricity, the gas industry has three main players – producers, transporters/distributors and retailers.

Producers

Natural gas is the chemical remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago. Producers extract the gas from underground wells in gas fields, both on land and at sea. Then they refine the gas so it can begin its journey to homes and businesses.

Illustration of gas piping.

Transporters and Distributors

In the beginning of its journey, the gas passes through high-pressure transmission pipelines, often thousands of kilometres long, until it passes into the care of local distributors, who transfer the gas to low-pressure pipelines that connect to homes and businesses. As well as ensuring a reliable supply of gas, your local distributor is also responsible for reading and maintaining your gas meter.

Illustration of someone having a hot shower.

Retailers

Retailers like Alinta Energy are the customer service end of the electricity supply chain. We package your energy supply into affordable deals. We ensure you’re billed correctly for your usage. And we’re there to help if you have any questions or need some assistance.

So now you know, Alinta Energy might be the name on your energy bill, but we’re certainly not the only ones bringing you energy.