The forerunner to the ACT Electricity Authority was the Canberra Electric Supply which functioned from within the Department of the Interior. ACTEA was established by Commonwealth Act 76 of 1962 which became operative on 1 July 1963 (Date fixed by proclamation).  

The Authority was a corporate body and consisted of a Chairman and two other members. One of the members was an officer of the
Department of the Capital Territory and was appointed as a member of the Authority by the Governor-General, as was the Chairman. The remaining member was a member of the Australian Capital Territory Advisory Council, appointed to the Authority by that Council. Functions of the Authority were to supply electricity and promote the use of electricity within the ACT, and such functions in relation to matters affecting or connected with the supply or use of electricity in ACT as were conferred on the Authority by ACT law. To this end, the Authority was empowered to generate electricity, purchase electricity from outside the ACT, transmit and reticulate electricity in the ACT, and to supply, maintain or repair electrical equipment required or used by the Commonwealth, or its authorities. The Authority could also determine charges for the supply of electricity, or connection to that supply. An annual report, covering the Authority's operations, plus a financial statement, was required to be submitted to the Minister responsible (Interior, Capital Territory and successor portfolios).
 
This agency was superseded on 1 July 1988 by the ACT Electricity and Water Authority. (See ACT Electricity and Water (Consequential Amendments) Ordinance dated 30 June 1988.
Historical agency address
Electricity House, London Circuit, Canberra City ACT
Legislation administered
Commonwealth Act No. 76 of 1962, Australian Capital Territory Electricity Supply Act 1962 
ACT Electricity and Water (Consequential Amendments) Ordinance 1988