Origin have just put out their earnings, as AAP reports:

Energy retailer and gas giant Origin Energy has reported a “strong” interim profit on lower taxes and improved gas earnings.

Origin, a major supplier to the east coast domestic gas market, on Thursday reported a statutory profit of $1.017 billion for the six months to December 31, up from $995 million a year earlier.

Underlying profit rose by almost a quarter to $924 million on improved earnings from gas and lower tax expenses, the company said.

Origin remains “well-placed” to benefit from the energy transition with its leading customer position in Australia and access to international growth through Octopus Energy in the United Kingdom,” chief executive Frank Calabria said.

Output from the aging Eraring coal-fired power station, set to keep running until 2027 under a deal struck with the NSW government, was “relatively stable”, the company said.

One of the “big three” electricity retailers in Australia, competing with AGL Energy and Energy Australia, Origin said it was making progress on building more renewable energy and storage assets.

“Good cash generation from our businesses and a strong balance sheet enabled Origin to increase returns to shareholders and invest in the energy transition,” Mr Calabria said.