Generation Victoria (trading as Ecogen Energy)

Full description

From 1994 to 1995, Generation Victoria (trading as Ecogen Energy) was the Victorian State body responsible for the generation of power to both Victorian and interstate customers. It's business activities included coal mining, thermal, gas and hydro electricity generation and support services.

Generation Victoria was formed as an independent entity following the restructuring and disaggregation of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. Established under the powers of the Electricity Industry Act 1993 and the State Owned Enterprises Act 1992, Generation Victoria brought together the functions and responsibilities of the former SECV Design and Construction Group of Departments and the Production Strategic Business Unit, including the Brown Coal and Gas based Generation Business Units based in the Latrobe Valley, Newport Power Station and Hydro Operations, the Research and Development Business and the Loy Yang B Construction Project.

Following the September 1992 Victorian State Government elections, the new State Government initiated a major program of review and reform of the Electricity Supply Industry in Victoria. Part of the reform process included the disaggregation of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria into three State Owned Enterprises responsible for generation, distribution and transmission.

The State Government announced its intention to separate the SECV into three State Owned Generation, Transmission and Distribution businesses on 11 August 1993. The restructuring of the commission was legislated under the provisions of the Electricity Industry Act 1993, and on 5 October 1993, the Order for the establishment of Generation Victoria was made by the Governor in Council in the exercise of powers contained in Section 14 of the State Owned Enterprises Act 1992.

For accounting and reporting purposes, Generation Victoria was deemed to have operated from 1 July 1993. Generation Victoria was not officially formed as a new entity until 3 January 1994, when the SECV was disaggregated into separate Generation (Generation Victoria), Distribution (National Electricity) and Transmission (Electricity Services Victoria) businesses. The functions of Generation Victoria were previously the responsibility of SECV Production Strategic Business Unit (also known as the SECV Production Group).

The functions and powers of Generation Victoria were set out in Part 2, Division 1, Section 9 of the Electricity Industry Act 1993.

The functions of Generation Victoria were:

• to undertake the Generation and Supply of Electricity
• to explore for, mine, produce and supply coal, gas and other raw products used in generation of electricity
• to acquire and trade in electricity, coal, gas and other raw products used in the generation of electricity
• to undertake the construction and operation of Power Stations
• to carry out research and development relating to the performance of the functions
• to provide services, including management services, in the coal, gas and electricity operating industries.

Organisation Structure

Board of Directors

Chief Executive Officer

• Loy Yang Project
• Research and Development
• Human Resources
• Corporate Services
• Industrial Relations
• Finance
• Public Affairs
• Marketing
• Strategy and External Relations
• Energy Management Centre

General Manager Operations
Technology and Services

• Services
• Production Technology
• Morwell Briquette and Power
• Jeeralang Gas Turbine Station
• Newport Power Station

Victorian Hydro
Gas Power Stations

• Newport Power Station
• Jeeralang Power Station
• Yallourn W Power Station
• Yallourn Mine
• Hazelwood Power Station
• Morwell Mine
• Loy Yang A Power Station
• Loy Yang Mine

Disestablishment

In response to further Government Directives for reform of the Victorian Electricity Supply Industry, Generation Victoria was made responsible for overseeing the disaggregation of Victoria's Electricity Generating Industry into five independent Generating Businesses. On 31 January 1995, the following five new businesses were formed from within Generation Victoria:

• Yallourn Energy Pty Ltd (VA 4056)
• Loy Yang Power Pty Ltd (VA 4111)
• Hazelwood Power Corporation Pty Ltd (VA 4075)
• Southern Hydro Pty Ltd (VA 4071)
• Generation Victoria Shell

Generation Victoria Shell maintained responsibility for:

• gas generation operations (Ecogen Energy)
• continuing employment of all Generation Victoria staff
• provision of production technology services to the new generation businesses
• industrial relation coordination and transition issues arising as a result of the disaggregation process
• construction and maintenance responsibilities of the Civil Engineer.

In March 1999, the Treasurer announced the sale of the assets of Generation Victoria to the United States based AES Corporation for $350 million through its subsidiary AES Transpower Holding Pty Ltd. The Minister's press release noted that this was "the last sale in Victoria's electricity reform program".