EnergyAustralia expects to give the green light to about $1 billion of gas and pumped hydro generation projects later this year despite the absence of overarching policy on energy and climate from the federal government as it seeks to keep prices affordable and fend off competition.

Mark Collette, a long-standing senior executive at the utility who has just been appointed head of the retail business, said the Tallawarra B gas power expansion in NSW and pumped hydro projects in South Australia and Queensland were on the cards to reach a final investment decision this year.