The Australian Capital Territory Electricity Authority (ACTE or A.C.T. Electricity Authority) was an authority formed on 1 July 1963 to manage energy supply in the Australian Capital Territory.^[2] During the 1950s and 60s Canberra's population was rapidly increasing,^[3] causing excessive energy demands and price increases.^[4] In response the Minister for the Interior, Sir Gordon Freeth, formed the new Authority. The new authority aimed to allow more consumer input by giving the Australian Capital Territory Advisory Council a seat on the board. Previously the electric supply of Canberra had been managed by the Department of the Interior (Canberra).^[5]

On 1 July 1988 the Energy and Water Act 1988 was passed, merging the ACT Electricity Authority and ACT Water into ACT Electricity and Water, later ACTEW.^[6]