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28 From relocating osprey nests from power poles and planting trees with community groups to trialling hybrid vehicles and landmark greenhouse gas abatement deals, Country Energy is involved in a range of environmental initiatives. Leading the way in environmental sustainability and social responsibility makes good business sense. Our energy conservation and environmental protection initiatives go beyond legal and regulatory obligations, towards a position of industry leadership. During the year, we took a four-pronged approach to environmental sustainability and renewable energy, concentrating on the efficient use of energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency and commercial partnerships. Two of Country Energy’s most immediate challenges are energy efficiency and the search for alternative energy sources. We have enlarged our suite of energy efficiency initiatives, delivering tangible environmental and financial benefits. Our aim is to integrate responsible environmental management into all that we do. Smart metering trial An Australian-first trial of new advanced smart metering technology has shown abundant potential, with participants using real time information to run more energy efficient homes. Launched in February 2005, the demand side management initiative aims to encourage customers to change energy usage based on pricing alerts. This reduces consumption in times of high demand and allows customers to save on energy costs. Involving 150 residential customers in Queanbeyan and Jerrabombera, the smart metering trial – gives participants access to real time information about energy consumption and costs thanks to an innovative in-home display unit. By using the display unit to monitor daily, weekly and monthly consumption patterns, participants can instantly see how much energy they are using and how much it is costing. Large families in particular are pocketing significant savings, with a family of five reducing consumption by 25 per cent compared to the same period last year. This has resulted in a saving of $31 off their quarterly account. Future goals – continue trial until June 2006, followed by research and analysis of trial outcomes, with a view to making the technology more widely available. Energy wise calculator More than 5,000 customers have visited our on-line energy efficiency service, the energy wise calculator, since it was launched in September 2004. The service has the ability to change the way people use energy in their homes and is smart enough to generate advice based on an individual’s input. Essentially, it helps customers calculate energy consumed by individual appliances, rooms or a whole house, and provides simple, low-cost energy saving tips. The calculator’s value was recognised by Global Reviews in November 2004, when it was rated as the best energy calculator available on all Australian energy providers’ websites (Global Reviews Energy Web Benchmark Q4 Report 2004). It was also the only site to be recommended by Choice Magazine (March edition: “What’s up with our power supply?”) in an article regarding home energy audits. As well as being promoted through field days and marketing material, the calculator is used by call centre and customer service centre teams when dealing with high account enquiries and is available to customers in many customer service centres. Green Globe Award Country Energy took centre stage in November 2004 to accept a major award at the Energy and Water Green Globe Awards for an energy efficiency pilot project, which is set to provide a nationwide energy industry precedent. The two-year energy efficiency project in the neighbouring rural villages of Binda and Bigga continues to help residents save on their power bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate pressure on the power supply network, thereby delaying the need for expensive network upgrades. Residents have enthusiastically supported the initiative by attending information sessions and taking advantage of accredited green energy, energy audits and a rebate scheme for the replacement of energy intensive appliances. COUNTRY ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2004–2005
One of the most rewarding aspects of the project has been supplying customers with almost 100 gas appliances at discounted rates, to replace old and inefficient appliances. This substantially reduced demand for electricity and saved around 80 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Boost to green energy portfolio In May 2005, the commissioning of stage one of Lake Bonney wind farm, in South Australia, marked an important addition to our renewable energy sources. Recognised as one of the largest and most efficient wind farms in Australia, the facility’s 43 wind turbines have a total generation output of 80.5 megawatts, providing enough renewable energy to power around 23,000 households each year. Country Energy is purchasing all of the energy and renewable energy credits from stage one under a longterm commercial agreement. Thanks to this project, we will be saving more than 200,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year, which would otherwise have been produced from coal-fired power stations. In addition to other wind farms in Crookwell and Blayney, we also purchase hydro-electricity from stations located near Wellington, Yass, Inverell, Grafton, Armidale and Dungog; biomass energy (energy generated from natural materials such as plants and organic landfill) from Ballina, landfill gas from Rochedale, Ipswich and Lucas Heights, a food waste to energy plant in Camellia, Western Sydney; solar farms in Queanbeyan and Dubbo and rooftop solar systems across New South Wales. Future goals – facilitate development of new renewable energy projects. 29 County Energy’s renewable energy sources IPSWICH LANDFILL ROCHEDALE LANDFILL CONDONG – SUGAR MILL BROADWATER – SUGAR MILL Far North Coast Region North Western Region Northern Region DUBBO ZOO Far West Region Mid North Coast Region DUNGOG Central Western Region BLAYNEY CAMELLIA – FOODWASTE South Western Region BURRINJUCK DAM WYANGALA DAM CROOKWELL LUCAS HEIGHTS LANDFILL BERRIGAN DAM Riverina Region Biomass QUEANBEYAN Hydro LAKE BONNEY South Eastern Region Landfill Gas Wind Farms WONTHAGGI Solar Farms COUNTRY ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2004–2005
Page 1 and 2: Becoming Australia’s leading util
Page 3 and 4: Priorities in 2004-2005 Country Ene
Page 5 and 6: A leader in safety 5 COUNTRY ENERGY
Page 7 and 8: Detailed audit schedules have been
Page 9 and 10: Workers compensation In addition to
Page 11 and 12: A successful national retailer 11 C
Page 13 and 14: Looking inside We recognise that ou
Page 15 and 16: This resulted in the campuses reduc
Page 17 and 18: The best network manager 17 COUNTRY
Page 19 and 20: The table below highlights some exa
Page 21 and 22: • Large snowfalls in the Snowy Mo
Page 23 and 24: Vegetation management The managemen
Page 25 and 26: Information services In addition to
Page 27: A responsible environmental manager
Page 31 and 32: Our increasing involvement in proje
Page 33 and 34: Waste management A code of practice
Page 35 and 36: A valued part of the community 35 C
Page 37 and 38: Increased presence Our program of r
Page 39 and 40: Nu 1000 0 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-
Page 41 and 42: Sponsorship spend $82,424 $125,000
Page 43 and 44: An employer of choice 43 COUNTRY EN
Page 45 and 46: Apprentices by region / operational
Page 47 and 48: Employees also initiated a fundrais
Page 49 and 50: Employee assistance program Country
Page 51 and 52: Our Executive Craig Murray - Managi
Page 53 and 54: Director Current appointment Board
Page 55 and 56: Risk management Country Energy appr
Page 57 and 58: Executive remuneration At the end o
Page 59 and 60: Consultants A total of $1.3 million
Page 61 and 62: • Electricity Industry Act 2000 N
Page 63 and 64: Financial statements contents Indep
Page 65 and 66: Statement by Members of the Board 6
Page 67 and 68: Statement of Financial Position as
Page 69 and 70: Notes to the Financial Statements f
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Notes to the Financial Statements f
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Customer information The following
Page 99 and 100:
Index A Achievements inside cover A
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