MEDIA RELEASE
15th October 2025
Origin Energy has come under fire for super-profits made at the expense of its customers, as its ongoing investment in coal and gas delays the clean energy transition and keeps energy prices high.
With NSW customer bills set to rise almost 10% in the coming year, climate groups and the Stop the Bill Shock campaign are calling on the company to bring energy bills down by cancelling debt of 89,000 households and investing in clean energy rather than fossil fuels.
Jacqui Mills, Nature Conservation Council of NSW, said:
“Origin’s sustainability credentials are in tatters, because it’s holding climate targets and customers ransom with expensive, polluting energy generation.
“Their failure to rule out closing Eraring coal fired power station in 2027 kills renewable energy investment.
“Whilst Origin Energy executives tout their climate action plan, the reality is that the company does not have a single operational solar or wind farm.
“To bring down energy prices and protect our climate, they need to walk the talk. Reinvest their mega profits away from coal fired power and into clean energy.”
Knitting Nanna Marie Flood said:
“Origin Energy plans to drill more than 4000 dirty polluting coal seam gas wells right across Southern and Central Queensland. This project will damage precious groundwater and harm the climate.
“Origin Energy customers, investors, and regional QLD communities will be worse off if this company drills these coal seam gas wells. There can be no market for new mega fossil gas projects in a world with a rapidly deteriorating climate.”
Farah Chaar of Sweltering Cities said:
“Right now, people are dreading the summer and anxious about the cost of keeping cool. While Origin is raking in massive profits, too many of us are second guessing whether we can turn on the air con or even a fan. Energy debt is making people sick as they suffer through sweltering days and baking hot nights.”
Jay Coonan of the Antipoverty Centre said:
“Everyone is feeling the pain of soaring energy costs, and those of us on the lowest incomes are being trapped in debt while these companies gouge us because they know we have no choice but to keep the power on.”
“We know that only 26% of people in a hardship program are able to successfully pay their energy debt off leaving the vast majority of people in a dangerous debt cycle. About 42% of people on a hardship plan have higher electricity costs in each billing period than the amount they are able to repay as part of their plan.”
Nic Seton of Parents for Climate said:
“Families are being squeezed while Origin makes billions from expensive and outdated coal and gas. Origin needs to prove it’s part of the solution by using its record profits to wipe household energy debt and invest in cheaper, cleaner power, instead of keeping parents trapped paying for the past.”
Spokespeople can be contacted for comment:
Jacqui Mills, Nature Conservation Council NSW: 0415640211
Marie Flood, Knitting Nannas: 0432680150
Farah Chaar, Sweltering Cities: 0498111414