AGL Energy Limited (AGL) today announced that after leading the industry with the withdrawal of unsolicited energy plan door-to-door sales to residential customers in Queensland and South Australia in October last year, AGL will now also cease unsolicited door-to-door sales activity to residential customers across New South Wales and Victoria.

Stephen Mikkelsen, Group General Manager Retail Energy said: "Feedback from our customers after AGL withdrew from selling energy plans through unsolicited door-to-door sales in Queensland and South Australia last year has been overwhelmingly positive."

Independent research commissioned by AGL and conducted by AMR, has shown that 69 percent of energy decision-makers have negative attitudes towards energy door-to-door sales people. Furthermore, only six percent of respondents reported having a positive experience the last time an energy door-to-door sales person approached them. Of those respondents stating it was a negative experience, 67 percent felt the experience was also intrusive.

"Our successful exit from unsolicited door-to-door sales in Queensland and South Australia also demonstrates AGL's ability to grow our customer base through our broad network of alternative sales channels."

This decision will take effect over the next month as AGL finalises arrangements with outsourced partners.

"AGL will maintain focus on growth by continuing to offer competitive energy plans and leveraging market leading successes such as AGL Energy Online and the flybuys loyalty partnership, as well as introducing new and exciting products and services to help our customers use less energy and save more money.

"This is a positive outcome for customers and one which we believe will be supported by the community, particularly by families and consumer groups," said Mr Mikkelsen.

About AGL

AGL is one of Australia's leading integrated renewable energy companies and is taking action toward creating a sustainable energy future for our investors, communities and customers. Drawing on 175 years of experience, AGL operates retail and merchant energy businesses, power generation assets and an upstream gas portfolio. AGL has one of Australia's largest retail energy and dual fuel customer bases. AGL has a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants, spread across traditional thermal generation as well as renewable sources including hydro, wind, landfill gas and biomass. AGL is Australia's largest private owner and operator of renewable energy assets and is looking to further expand this position by exploring a suite of low emission and renewable energy generation development opportunities.