AGL Energy Limited (AGL) has welcomed the announcement by Energy and Resources Minister Chris Hartcher that the Hunter Gas Project Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 267 has been renewed and that land identified by AGL for relinquishment has been confirmed.

As part of the licence renewal process, the licence holder is required to relinquish 25 percent of the area of the PEL. AGL can confirm that it has relinquished land within the Pokolbin region, in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine growing and tourism region.

AGL recognises the community's influence on this decision.

In 2010, we made a promise to the wine growers of the Hunter Valley that we would not pursue coal seam gas exploration in specific areas within Pokolbin. The Government's announcement confirming our relinquishment now provides this community with certainty which supports the promises and commitments made by AGL to the community.

AGL will continue to listen to and share information with our local communities as we pursue activities to help secure the energy needs of the families and businesses of New South Wales.

AGL currently supplies gas to more than 1.5 million homes and businesses in eastern Australia. More than 700,000 of these customers are based in New South Wales.

For more information about the project, please see the Hunter project website.

A map showing the PEL 267 and the areas relinquished can be viewed in the media release.

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.