ACCC grants final authorisation for Joint Electricity Purchasing Group 2.0
Media Release Date: 5 December 2025
SACOME welcomes the decision from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to award final authorisation to the Joint Electricity Purchasing Group Version 2.0 (JEPG 2.0), supporting competitive and sustainable energy pricing for South Australian businesses.
Leading the response
In response to rising energy costs and increasing volatility in the National Energy Market (NEM), The South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy (SACOME) established the first Joint Electricity Purchasing Group (JEPG) in 2016. In June 2018, SACOME successfully led negotiation of an eight-year electricity supply agreement on behalf of the participating members, which commenced supply in July 2019.
The JEPG agreement has provided sustainable and predictable pricing for participating members of the group, avoiding exposure to the volatile retail market and delivering an average cost of electricity lower than the wholesale market over the term.
The long-term contract also enabled the energy retailer to invest in renewable power generation in South Australia, increasing competition in the NEM and supporting the transition to a sustainable future.
With electricity prices continuing to increase and an uncertain market, securing competitive and predictable energy pricing over the long-term is essential for businesses operating in domestic and global markets.
Building on success
On behalf of members, SACOME is proud to build on this success and lead JEPG 2.0 as the original contract arrangement nears the end of its term. The expanded group includes all original JEPG members and additional large electricity users operating across a diverse range of sectors throughout South Australia, including food and grocery supply, advanced manufacturing and resource extraction.
On behalf of the group, SACOME lodged application for authorisation AA1000701 with the ACCC on 15 July 2025, seeking authorisation to formally establish JEPG 2.0 to jointly tender and negotiate electricity supply agreements.
ACCC final determination and authorisation
Recognising the public benefits of collective tendering, including transaction cost savings and enhanced competition in the energy market, the ACCC issued a draft determination and interim authorisation on 24 September 2025. This was followed by a final determination on 22 October 2025, granting authorisation for 12 years.
In its final determination, the ACCC stated:
“The ACCC has decided to grant authorisation to enable the South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy Inc (SACOME) and participating members to engage in certain conduct related to forming a joint electricity buying group in which the participating members of the group pool their electricity demand, conduct a joint tender process, and individually enter into an electricity supply agreement with the chosen electricity supplier(s).
The ACCC considers that the collective nature of the proposed tender processes is likely to result in public benefits in the form of transaction cost savings for both members of the group and potential electricity suppliers.”
The full ACCC decision can be accessed here.
Further information
Additional information on the ACCC process and copies of the original submission, interim authorisation and final determination can be found on the ACCC website.
Quote from Catherine Mooney, Chief Executive Officer of SACOME
“Energy affordability remains a top priority for our members and for major electricity users operating in both domestic and international markets. SACOME is proud to build on the success of the initial JEPG program and extend its benefits to even more South Australian businesses.”
SACOME welcomes the decision from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to award final authorisation to the Joint Electricity Purchasing Group Version 2.0 (JEPG 2.0), supporting competitive and sustainable energy pricing for South Australian businesses.
Leading the response
In response to rising energy costs and increasing volatility in the National Energy Market (NEM), The South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy (SACOME) established the first Joint Electricity Purchasing Group (JEPG) in 2016. In June 2018, SACOME successfully led negotiation of an eight-year electricity supply agreement on behalf of the participating members, which commenced supply in July 2019.
The JEPG agreement has provided sustainable and predictable pricing for participating members of the group, avoiding exposure to the volatile retail market and delivering an average cost of electricity lower than the wholesale market over the term.
The long-term contract also enabled the energy retailer to invest in renewable power generation in South Australia, increasing competition in the NEM and supporting the transition to a sustainable future.
With electricity prices continuing to increase and an uncertain market, securing competitive and predictable energy pricing over the long-term is essential for businesses operating in domestic and global markets.
Building on success
On behalf of members, SACOME is proud to build on this success and lead JEPG 2.0 as the original contract arrangement nears the end of its term. The expanded group includes all original JEPG members and additional large electricity users operating across a diverse range of sectors throughout South Australia, including food and grocery supply, advanced manufacturing and resource extraction.
On behalf of the group, SACOME lodged application for authorisation AA1000701 with the ACCC on 15 July 2025, seeking authorisation to formally establish JEPG 2.0 to jointly tender and negotiate electricity supply agreements.
ACCC final determination and authorisation
Recognising the public benefits of collective tendering, including transaction cost savings and enhanced competition in the energy market, the ACCC issued a draft determination and interim authorisation on 24 September 2025. This was followed by a final determination on 22 October 2025, granting authorisation for 12 years.
In its final determination, the ACCC stated:
“The ACCC has decided to grant authorisation to enable the South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy Inc (SACOME) and participating members to engage in certain conduct related to forming a joint electricity buying group in which the participating members of the group pool their electricity demand, conduct a joint tender process, and individually enter into an electricity supply agreement with the chosen electricity supplier(s).
The ACCC considers that the collective nature of the proposed tender processes is likely to result in public benefits in the form of transaction cost savings for both members of the group and potential electricity suppliers.”
The full ACCC decision can be accessed here.
Further information
Additional information on the ACCC process and copies of the original submission, interim authorisation and final determination can be found on the ACCC website.
Quote from Catherine Mooney, Chief Executive Officer of SACOME
“Energy affordability remains a top priority for our members and for major electricity users operating in both domestic and international markets. SACOME is proud to build on the success of the initial JEPG program and extend its benefits to even more South Australian businesses.”