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Meet our early confirmed speakers
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Andrew Thornton
Origin Energy
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Brett Redman
Transgrid
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Chloe Hicks
Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo)
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Damien Nicks
AGL
Elizabeth Molyneux
Vic Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
Guy Chalkley
Endeavour Energy
Mark Collette
EnergyAustralia
Rob Wheals
Squadron Energy
Stephanie Unwin
Horizon Power
Tim Nelson
NEM Wholesale Market Settings Review
Damien Nicks
Managing Director & Chief Executive OfficerAGL
Damien Nicks is MD and CEO at AGL, a leading Australian energy company with a commitment to deliver one of the most significant decarbonisation initiatives in the country. His vision will deliver value for AGL's customers and shareholders and position the company for future growth.
Damien is responsible for driving a once-in-a-generation transformation of AGL’s generation and retail portfolios to an integrated energy leader, with an ambition to add 12 GW of new renewable generation and firming capacity by the end of 2035 while helping 4.5 million customers decarbonise and electrify the way they live, move and work.
Prior to becoming MD and CEO in January 2023, Damien held several senior executive finance positions at AGL before joining its Executive Team as Chief Financial Officer in August 2018.
With more than 10 years’ experience in the energy industry, Damien is also Chair of the Australian Energy Council and is a strong advocate for diversity and gender equality as a founding member of the Champions of Change Coalition Energy Group.
Damien’s significant leadership and project delivery experience in complex and large multinational organisations spans more than 28 years across a number of other sectors, including logistics, industrial and professional services.
Mark Collette
Managing DirectorEnergyAustralia
Mr Collette has been with EnergyAustralia since 2003 and Managing Director since 1 July 2021. He served as Chief Customer Officer from May 2019 until June 2021 and led the Energy business (comprising generation and trading at the time) between July 2015 and May 2019. Former roles have included executive responsibility for policy, sustainability, strategy and other matters.
Mr Collette is Chair and Director at the Australian Energy Council (AEC), which represents 20 major electricity and downstream natural gas businesses operating in the competitive wholesale and retail energy market. He is also a former member of the AEMC's Reliability Panel and a former director of the Australian Financial Markets Association.
Prior to joining EnergyAustralia, he worked for management consulting firm LEK consulting on a variety of commercial engagements in Australia, Thailand and the UK.
Chloe Hicks
Executive Director, Strategy and PolicyEnergy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo)
Chloe Hicks is the Executive Director of Strategy and Policy at EnergyCo. Chloe is responsible for driving EnergyCo’s corporate and business strategy, strategic policy and advice, and regulatory processes, including access schemes.
Chloe has extensive experience and expertise in energy and government processes. She has been instrumental in delivering major energy, climate and economic reforms, including the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and Renewable Energy Zones. She is passionate about ensuring energy infrastructure is developed in a way that benefits consumers and regional communities.
Brett Redman
Chief Executive OfficerTransgrid
Brett Redman is a highly experienced energy industry executive at the centre of Australia’s energy transition. He was appointed CEO of Transgrid in November 2021, tasked with leading the build of the nation’s energy super-highways, involving some of Australia’s largest ever transmission projects.
No country in the world is yet running a nation-sized power network with 100% wind and solar generation. Brett is determined to innovate and invest early in building the industry capabilities and capacity to enable Australia’s rapid transition to 100% instantaneous renewable power.
Brett’s three decades of leadership experience include nearly 15 years at AGL Energy, where he was appointed CEO and Managing Director in 2018. He is also the former Chair of the Australian Energy Council.
Brett is a passionate believer that corporates must build their social license as well as the bottom line to be truly successful. He is committed to working across the community to help build an energy market that is reliable, affordable, and sustainable. Brett is a proud member of the Champions of Change Coalition, personally taking the lead on gender equality actions.
Andrew Thornton
Executive General Manager Integrated GasOrigin Energy
Andrew joined Origin in 2012 and was appointed as Executive General Manager – Integrated Gas in November 2021.
Andrew is responsible for Origin’s role as upstream operator and for the marketing of domestic gas on behalf of Australia Pacific LNG. He also has accountability for Origin’s activities in renewable fuels.
Prior to joining Origin in 2012, Andrew spent 10 years in private equity and investment banking, including at Goldman Sachs where he served as an Executive Director in the Principal Investment Area. Andrew has also held commercial roles with the Super Retail Group, and has investment banking experience in London and Sydney, where he worked in M&A and capital markets.
Guy Chalkley
Chief Executive OfficerEndeavour Energy
Guy was appointed Endeavour Energy CEO in December 2019 and took up the position in April 2020. He is a highly regarded energy industry leader and influencer, and a board member of Energy Networks Australia, the peak national body representing gas distribution and electricity transmission & distribution businesses throughout Australia.
Guy has a wealth of international, financial and operational experience gained across a diverse range of sectors operating and residing in Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe, and North and South America.
His outstanding leadership qualities and experience sees him well positioned in leading Endeavour Energy as it continues its customer-centric journey, meets record growth across Greater Western Sydney, adapts to rapid technology change, and continues to deliver safe and reliable essential electricity services to 2.5 million people every day.
Guy was appointed CEO of Western Power in 2016, a Western Australian State Government-owned transmission and distribution network corporation, after earlier roles including Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Western Power, he worked for a decade at Veolia Water and Thames Water in senior finance and regulatory director roles.
Stephanie Unwin
Chief Executive OfficerHorizon Power
As Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Power, Stephanie Unwin leads a team of 600+ energy professionals to deliver power to some of Western Australia’s most remote and regional communities.
Under her leadership, Horizon Power is transforming the energy landscape across regional WA, providing power through an increasingly decentralised delivery model. Horizon Power operates 38 energy systems, delivering energy to approximately 47,000 residential, business and pre-payment meter accounts across 2.3 million square kilometres of rugged and remote territory.
Stephanie is passionate about collaboration, inclusion and diversity to build an engaged and inspired workforce. Her ability to facilitate change on a foundation of safety is delivering Horizon Power’s vision of innovative customer choices, reduced costs and a cleaner energy future by reducing Horizon Power’s carbon footprint and investing in new technologies such as hydrogen.
Stephanie is a recognised energy industry leader, having joined Verve Energy in 2008, continuing into its transition to Synergy. She has significant executive and Board-level experience with publicly listed companies, including Alacer Gold Corp, Zenith Energy, Integra Mining Limited, and several non-listed joint ventures. She was a board member of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency from April 2018 to July 2023, and is currently a board member of Energy Vault, Energy Networks Australia. Stephanie is also a Senate member of Murdoch University.
Stephanie brings a depth of experience as CEO of an energy utility operating across generation, transmission, distribution, and retailing. She is passionate about energy equity and believes that transitioning to renewable sources should be accessible to all, enabling everyone in the community to participate in the new energy landscape and reap the positive environmental and economic benefits that come with it.
Tim Nelson
ChairNEM Wholesale Market Settings Review
Tim is currently the Chair of the independent review of Australia's NEM. The Review is to make recommendations to Ministers in late 2025.
Tim was the Executive General Manager, Energy Markets at Iberdrola Australia until November 2024. In this role, Tim led the wholesale and retail energy markets functions. He also led business development for firming, hydrogen and smart solutions. Tim joined Iberdrola Australia in March 2020 from the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC). Up until November 2018, Tim was the Chief Economist of AGL Energy.
He has also been a Climate Councillor, a member of the Westpac Stakeholder Advisory Council, an advisory board member for My Net Zero.
Tim is an Associate Professor at Griffith University and is widely published in Australian and international peer-reviewed journals. He holds a PhD in economics for which he earned a Chancellors Doctoral Research Medal and a first-class honours degree in economics. Tim is also a fellow of the Governance Institute (FGIA FCG CS CGP) and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). He is also a Fellow of the Centre for Policy Development.
Rob Wheals
Chief Executive OfficerSquadron Energy
Rob is a highly regarded leader with more than 25 years’ executive experience across the energy infrastructure and telecommunications sectors in Australia and internationally.
As Squadron Energy CEO, he heads up Australia’s leading renewable energy developer, owner and operator, and also sits on the board of the Clean Energy Council.
Prior to joining Squadron, he was CEO and Managing Director of the top 50 ASX-listed energy infrastructure business APA Group.
Elizabeth Molyneux
Deputy Secretary, EnergyVic Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
Elizabeth Molyneux is the Deputy Secretary, Energy and commenced in the role in October 2022. With 25 years of experience in energy markets and policy reform, including as a senior executive at AGL Energy, Elizabeth has demonstrated significant expertise in energy wholesale and retail markets, network regulation, new energy technologies and consumer protection frameworks.
Elizabeth brings a strong focus on consumer outcomes in a dynamic period of change and transition in Victorian and national energy systems. With her background, Elizabeth is well placed to support the Victorian Government’s leadership in energy policy and programs, new energy supply chain investments, regional economic development opportunities and the decarbonisation of gas, transport and industrial systems in Victoria.
Elizabeth also holds a Bachelor of Science and post graduate qualifications in Economics and Applied Finance and Investment.
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Advisory Board
Partner
McKinsey & Company
HoustonKemp
Jemena
Monash University
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Tarandeep Singh Ahuja
Partner
McKinsey & Company
Tarandeep Singh Ahuja co-leads McKinsey & Company's Energy Practice in Australia and New Zealand and leads the Product Development and Procurement Practice across the Asia Pacific region. He is a Partner based in McKinsey’s Melbourne office.
Tarandeep is passionate about helping industry lead the way on the energy transition. He works with leading public and private sector organisations across the energy value chain on a variety of topics including strategy, growth, M&A, transformation, digitisation, and decarbonisation.
Tarandeep has served as a knowledge advisor to Australian Energy Week and for the last half decade, hosted multiple panels on the annual event’s main stage.
Adrian Kemp
PartnerHoustonKemp
Adrian’s expertise derives from his depth of understanding and experience in the energy, water and transport industries, exceptional analytical skills, and his enthusiasm for developing innovative and practicable solutions to complex problems. At the forefront of his profession, Adrian regularly advises governments, regulatory agencies and businesses on high stakes matters that are often the focus of public attention.
Highlights from Adrian’s twenty year career include the development of innovative metrics to monitor road safety, speed performance and reliability using GPS-probe data to inform road infrastructure planning and investment decision making. Adrian also led the development of an innovative regulatory framework governing the pricing of services provided at the Port of Melbourne.
Adrian has shaped significant reforms to pricing in the electricity sector and to the regulatory arrangements applying to the water, energy and road infrastructure sectors. Adrian is often at the forefront of structural and regulatory reform processes, and in charting market developments in the infrastructure sector. Often, he is leading the way in rethinking how emerging disruptive technologies can be harnessed to improve the performance of critical industry sectors.
Most recently, Adrian has spearheaded the proof of concept for a blockchain-based information sharing platform for the Australian criminal intelligence sector – set to revolutionise how organisations share, control and collaborate through the use of sensitive information.
Suzie Jakobovits
GM Renewable GasJemena
Suzie is the General Manager of Renewable Gas at Jemena. She is responsible for leading and delivering Jemena’s Renewable Gas Strategy and driving the establishment and growth of a renewable gas market to provide an alternative decarbonisation pathway for consumers.
Suzie has spent the last 25 years working across the energy sector, with in depth experience in strategy, sustainability and renewables. She holds a double degree in Commerce (Finance) and Science (Mathematics) from the University of Melbourne.
Suzie is an experienced strategic planning specialist and operational manager, highly regarded for her passionate and collaborative approach to driving effective and impactful change.
David J Hill
Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Systems EngineeringMonash University
David Hill is Professor of Electrical Power and Energy Systems at Monash University,
Melbourne, Australia and Professor Emeritus at The University of Sydney. He has had an academic career based at universities in Australia as well as the USA, Sweden and Hong Kong, where his research has focussed on power systems modelling, planning, dynamics and control as well as in related general systems and control engineering areas. He is currently focussed on future power and energy systems bringing science to address the systems questions that the clean energy transition demands answers to such as the optimal energy mix, future grid architectures, the balance between CERs and REZs, how to achieve stability, reliability and resilience and the right balance between system control and markets when dealing with new issues like system strength and inertia. He consults internationally on energy issues and is also involved in international research groups related to future energy and grids.
He has been elected Fellow of The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, The Australian Academy of Science and related engineering academies in Sweden and Hong Kong. He has received numerous international awards for his research including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE, New York, USA) Power and Energy Society Prabha S. Kundur Award - one of only two Australians to ever receive this award given annually to recognise "outstanding contributions to the understanding and control of the dynamics of the power system". He also received the IEEE Hendrik W. Bode Lecture Prize of the IEEE Control Systems Society and presented the topic "Power System Dynamics and Control – Structure, data and learning".
Jeremy Hasnip
Energy ExpertJeremy has over 25 years’ experience in the power and banking sectors, and has been with SMBC for 12 years. In his current role he is responsible for driving the bank’s energy transition business across Asia and Australia. For the previous 10 years he led the Power and Renewables sector in Australia. He has extensive experience in energy sector mergers and acquisitions, green field project development, corporate & project finance, and in leading financial advisory transactions in the power and natural resources sectors. Jeremy worked for leading UK electricity company Powergen plc for 10 years in a number of roles including power trading, regulatory affairs, strategy and corporate development and M&A in the UK and Australia. Prior to this he worked for Alstom as a power station commissioning engineer and in design, manufacturing and commercial project management of large green field nuclear and thermal power plants. He has also worked for Westpac Banking Corporation and Corpac Partners, a boutique advisory firm. Jeremy holds a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Imperial College London, and an MBA with distinction from the Warwick Business School.
Carly Irving Dolan
Executive DirectorProspecta Utilities
Carly Irving-Dolan is a renowned leader in the smart and renewable energy sectors, with a track record of delivering transformative solutions. As the Executive Director of Advisory at Prospecta Utilities, Carly brings decades of experience in strategic planning, customer experience, and innovation to help businesses navigate the energy transition. Her leadership is pivotal in developing tailored, sustainable solutions that drive efficiency and long-term success.
Previously, Carly held executive roles at NRMA, Energex, Energy Queensland, and Yurika, where she was instrumental in establishing NRMA’s first national electric fast-charging network. Her innovative approach to infrastructure projects, including the development of off-grid EV charging stations and battery-integrated chargers, has had a lasting impact on the energy sector.
Carly’s dedication to customer advocacy and her ability to foster strong stakeholder relationships have earned her a reputation as a forward-thinking leader. In addition to her role at Prospecta Utilities, Carly serves as a Non-Executive Director at Hydroverse and The Springfield Anglican College.
With a Master of Business Administration from Torrens University and an Executive Leadership Program from Mt Eliza Business School, Carly’s educational background complements her extensive industry experience, making her a driving force in Australia’s energy transformation.
Joel Gilmore
General Manager Regulation & Energy PolicyIberdrola
Dr Joel Gilmore is the General Manager Policy & Regional Energy at Iberdrola Australia, with over a decade of experience in market design, market modelling, and technical and economic analysis of integrating renewable energy into the grid. In addition to engaging on policy design, he coordinates the development of integrated solutions across large-scale renewables, transmission, green hydrogen, and new loads. He previously lead Iberdrola’s long-term market modelling team, supporting business cases for both renewable and firming assets and has previously worked in roels across consulting, government, and AEMO. Joel is also an Associate Professor at Griffith University Business School.
Alex Fraser
Senior Electrification Channel SpecialistEssential Energy
Elizabeth Molyneux
Deputy Secretary, EnergyVic Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
Elizabeth Molyneux is the Deputy Secretary, Energy and commenced in the role in October 2022. With 25 years of experience in energy markets and policy reform, including as a senior executive at AGL Energy, Elizabeth has demonstrated significant expertise in energy wholesale and retail markets, network regulation, new energy technologies and consumer protection frameworks.
Elizabeth brings a strong focus on consumer outcomes in a dynamic period of change and transition in Victorian and national energy systems. With her background, Elizabeth is well placed to support the Victorian Government's leadership in energy policy and programs, new energy supply chain investments, regional economic development opportunities and the decarbonisation of gas, transport and industrial systems in Victoria.
Elizabeth also holds a Bachelor of Science and post graduate qualifications in Economics and Applied Finance and Investment.
Amy Kean
PartnerStride Renewables
Amy has more than 20 years of experience in energy markets across the public and private sectors, nationally and internationally, and has a background in Science, Arts from UNSW and Law. Amy is a Director of ASX MPower and a board member of the NSW Decarbonisation Hub & Chair of the Electrification & Energy Systems Network.
Prior to establishing Stride, Amy was the NSW Government Renewable Energy Advocate. Amy has also worked at REEEP, Clean Energy Council, Pinpoint Mastercard, Accenture, Hydro Tasmania and was a board member of Renewables SA, Renew and REEEP.
Amy is a recipient of the NSW Green Globe award for Public Sector Leadership, the Energy Minister’s Leadership Award and Services to the Duke of Edinburgh Award from HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
Sandra Lau
Head of Hydrogen & EVsViva Energy Australia
With almost 20 years in the resources industry in both mining and downstream oil and gas, Sandra has worked across five Australian states and two continents. With Bachelor degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Commerce through the University of Melbourne, and an executive MBA from the Australian School of Graduate Management, she has moved through a variety of onsite engineering, project and management roles through to her current strategic role as Alternative Fuels Manager. In this role, she is responsible for Viva Energy’s strategy and initial pilots in the transition towards a lower carbon future, with a Hydrogen and Electric Vehicles being key focus areas. In addition, she is a current Director on the Australian Hydrogen Council Board.
Mark Paterson
PrincipalEnergy Catalyst
Mark Paterson is the Principal and Lead Systems Architect of Energy Catalyst, a specialist consulting practice focused on the key structural shifts required for legacy power systems to be capable of a secure and cost-efficient Net Zero Emissions future.
Working at the intersection of strategic vision and real-world application, Mark has led several national energy system transformation projects in Australia, including as Chair of the CSIRO Future Grid Forum and Program Director of the CSIRO/ENA Electricity Network Transformation Roadmap. At Horizon Power and Energex, he led the innovative development and scale deployment of several utility technology innovation firsts.
Mark is globally recognised as an expert in Power Systems Architecture disciplines which are critical to secure and cost-efficient grid transformation. He is a Fellow of the Pacific Energy Institute, an invited Associate of the US Department of Energy’s GridWise Architecture Council (GWAC) and a contributing author for the IEEE Power & Energy Society.
James Colbert
PartnerBaringa
James joined Baringa from KPMG where he was a partner focused on Energy & Utilities Strategy, Transformation and Technology Advisory. He has over 20 years’ experience spanning global corporates to start-ups. James brings deep experience in strategy, commercial and technology.
He has served as APAC Regional Director for global leader Schneider Electric and been at the forefront of the energy transition with technology and large generator/retailers. Prior to joining Baringa, James was with KPMG in management consulting where he advised and supported businesses across energy, mining and property on strategy and technology.
He sits on the Board of Race 2030 and is the former Chair of the International MicroGrid Association.
When he’s not working, or boring his family and friends with talk about how exciting the energy transition is, you'll find James on the tennis court. James is a keen tennis player and loves the fact that his city, Melbourne, hosts the Australian Open every January. You’ll also find him and his wife encouraging their two boys in various sporting and musical passions ranging from sailing and futsal, to fencing.
David Prins
DirectorEtrog Consulting
David Prins is an experienced and highly accomplished thought leader, strategic influencer and collaborator in the Australian energy market. He thrives on understanding how competition and regulation inter relate in energy markets, and helping his clients to navigate the often difficult environments in which they have to participate and engage, across the energy value chain.
David has extensive international consulting experience and expertise in strategic, regulatory and government policy and commercial issues in energy markets, particularly from a consumer perspective. His work currently focuses on the energy transition to net zero, reliability and resilience of the energy system, and energy affordability.
Changlong Wang
Research FellowMonash University
Dr. Changlong Wang is a Research Associate at Monash University, a Climate Future Fellow at the University of Melbourne, and an Academic Visitor at the University of Oxford. He is a key contributor to the Hydrogen and Green Steel Economic Fairways Mapper, a collaboration between Geoscience Australia and Monash University that won the 2023 Eureka Prize for Innovative Research in Sustainability and was a finalist for the 2024 Australian Financial Review’s Energy Award in Innovation.
Changlong represents Australia in several IEA Hydrogen TCP tasks and is co-leading a new task proposal, “Hydrogen for Iron/Steelmaking”, with international colleagues. He also led a study on the South Australian green iron supply chain with the Port of Rotterdam for the South Australian government. Additionally, Changlong serves as Deputy Lead for Work Package 6 of the “Strategic Electric Vehicle Integration (SEVI)” project under RACE for 2030 CRC, examining the impacts of EV charging on grid stability.
Changlong recently received the 2024 Monash Engineering Dean's Award for Research Excellence and the 2024 DCCEEW and CSIRO International Hydrogen Fellowship. Changlong is on the Australian Energy Week 2025 advisory board.
Matthew Gleeson
VP Energy Transition / Water ConservationOracle Energy and Water
Matt knows a bit about the changing landscape for utilities these days. For almost 3 decades he has been at the forefront of championing and supporting change within Oracle's clientele and partners; both in driving energy business transformation and in fostering new innovation. He’s been in the trenches seeing through the progress of deregulation across Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas, and has seen his fair share of energy business reinvention through improved workforce engagement, sustainable asset investment programs and investment in IT transformation. Matt often shares his experience and insights with customers and audiences across the Asia Pacific region on topics spanning diverse domains: ranging from grid performance to heightened customer engagement.
Matt's passions lies in:
- Fostering a forward-moving drive within utilities to initiate their journey towards a low-carbon energy future.
- Unleashing the true potential of AMI and grid data for energy enterprises, effecting meaningful change.
- Pioneering a novel energy B2C2B relationship that begets shared advantages, both financial and environmentally driven.
- Disrupting conventional power-planning paradigms by propounding alternatives like demand response and behavioral demand shifts.
- Forging a nexus among ESG, EV, and DER aspirations for the ever-evolving energy landscape.