The Energy Supply Association of Australia (esaa) was established in January 2004. It is the successor to the Electricity Supply Association of Australia.

Recognising the increasing commonality of commercial and government policy interests in Australia's downstream natural gas sector and the electricity supply industry, the businesses involved in the two sectors decided in 2003 that a new approach to representational arrangements was needed. As a result, value chain associations were created - the Energy Retailers Association of Australia, the National Generators' Forum, the Energy Networks Association and the Electricity Transmission Network Owners Forum - to deal with detailed, sector-specific issues while esaa was re-formed to focus on strategic, whole-of-industry policy issues covering both the electricity and downstream natural gas industries.

Now focusing on policy advocacy, esaa has ceased activities of a technical, engineering or standards setting nature. These functions are performed by the relevant sectoral associations. Professional development activities have been transferred to the Australian Power Institute.

Today, esaa is a member Chief Executive-led organisation. Supported by research and analysis prepared by esaa staff, leaders of the member companies determine the policies and positions for the organisation at regular intervals. These policies and positions focus on long-term issues that fundamentally affect the ability of the industry to supply reliable and competitively-priced energy to the Australian community.

esaa staff take these policy views and actively engage with government policy makers and opinion shapers to ensure Australia's energy and related policy settings are informed by the research, analysis and conclusions of its members.

Based in Melbourne, esaa has a professional staff experienced in energy market and environment policy analysis and development work as well as government advocacy activities. An office in Canberra is also maintained to ensure effective liaison and access to the Australian Government and its agencies.

Annual review 2006-2007