Conference

The Energy in WA Conference has been the State’s premier energy event since 1996. Proudly hosted by the Australian Institute of Energy (Perth branch) and Energy Policy WA (Government of Western Australia), this highly popular conference is organised by the local energy industry for the local energy industry.

The current Conference program is currently being worked on. Once the first draft is ready, it will be available to be downloaded below. The program will be updated as new speakers and speaking topics are confirmed throughout the first half of 2024, so please check back regularly.

A summary of our confirmed speakers is available on our Speakers page.

when

Thursday to Friday
15 to 16 August, 2024

where

The Ritz Carlton
1 Barrack Street, Perth, WA 6000

view programget tickets
2025 Program & Themes
Progressing WA's energy economy with confidence & pace

Conference

Energy with Purpose: Delivering WA's Global Decarbonisation Edge

The Future is Now: Flexible Power Systems in WA

Innovating for Biodiversity & Community Outcomes

WA's Intelligent Transition: AI, Data Centres & the Renewable Energy Advantage

The Demand Side of Decarbonisation

Transport Electrification

Events will be added as the Energy Week program develops. Register your interest and we'll keep you updated on Energy Week events, speakers and news. Check out last year's conference for a taste of what's to come.
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8:30 am
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8:45 am

Welcome to Country

Event details coming soon.

Events will be added as the Energy Week program develops. Register your interest and we'll keep you updated on Energy Week events, speakers and news. Check out last year's program for a taste of what's to come.
register your interest
Conference
Conference
Conference
Conference
Robyn Collard
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8:30 am
11
September
2025
The Ritz Carlton
6:00 pm
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10:00 pm

2025 WA Energy Awards Dinner

Event details coming soon.

Events will be added as the Energy Week program develops. Register your interest and we'll keep you updated on Energy Week events, speakers and news. Check out last year's program for a taste of what's to come.
register your interest
Awards Dinner
Awards Dinner
Awards Dinner
Awards Dinner
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Join us for a memorable evening as we wine, dine and celebrate the people behind Western Australia’s energy sector. Brought to you by the Australian Institute of Energy Perth and the City of Perth, this is our ninth celebration of excellence.

Venue Details

Venue: Fraser’s Restaurant, Kings Park
Address: 60 Fraser Ave, West Perth, WA 6005
Date: Thursday 11 September 2025
Pre-drinks and Canapés: 6pm and Dinner: 7pm

This Year's Categories Are:

* Energy Professional of the  Year
* Energy Innovation of the Year
* Young Energy Leader of the Year
* Emerging Star of the Year
* Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Energy

Nominations for the 2025 WA Energy Awards closed on Monday 28 July 2025 at 11:59pm (AWST). For enquiries, please contact Cleta Blakiston at registrationswa@aie.org.au.

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Proudly sponsored by

The City of Perth is very proud to sponsor this year’s WA Energy Awards Dinner highlighting outstanding performance across the state and reinforcing Perth as global leader across the energy sector.

6:00 pm
11
September
2025
Fraser's Restaurant
Get tickets
Robyn Collard
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James Choi
Honorary Ambassador for Foreign Investment Promotion
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Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
George Martin
Chief Technology Officer
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Starling Energy Group Pty Ltd (Plico)
Steve Edwell
Chair
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Economic Regulation Authority
Phil Ireland
President
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Enscope
Alex Jenkins
Director
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WA Data Science Innovation Hub
Peta Ashworth
Director
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Curtin University’s Institute for Energy Transition
Brendan Banfield
CEO
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Gridsight
Mary Stewart
Partner
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ERM
Saul Griffiths
Engineer, Entrepreneur, and Author
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Specialising in clean and renewable energy technologies
Saul Griffith is an engineer, entrepreneur, and author focused on clean energy and electrification. He has founded multiple technology companies and is the founder of Rewiring America, Rewiring Australia, and Rewiring Aotearoa.
Andre Winarto
Program Director
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Perth USAsia Centre
Andre Winarto is Program Director at the Perth USAsia Centre, WA's leading foreign policy think tank, where he leads the program on the geopolitics of critical minerals and the energy transition.
Krystal Skinner
Acting Chief Executive Officer
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Horizon Power
Krystal Skinner is the Acting CEO of Horizon Power, leading a team of 600+ staff to deliver power to approximately 47,000 customer accounts across regional and remote Western Australia. She has extensive experience in WA's energy sector, including in executive roles leading electrification and distributed energy initiatives, and delivering priority asset programs for some of the State's most remote Aboriginal communities in support of Closing the Gap.
Colin Sadlier
Panellist
General Manager, Clean Fuels
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ATCO
Colin joined ATCO in August 2023 and is the General Manager for Clean Fuels. Colin is a leader in his field and has more than 20 years’ experience with roles at Deloitte, BHP, Alinta Energy and the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG).
Sam Pearce
Panellist
CEO
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Collgar Renewables
Sam has over 30 years of industry experience in the energy and utilities sectors, spanning operations, investment management, corporate development and strategy, and transaction execution responsibilities. He has worked in merchant energy, gas distribution, power generation (gas and renewables), and electricity and gas transmission primarily in Australia and New Zealand. Prior to joining Collgar Renewables, Sam held executive and senior roles at QIC Infrastructure, APA Group, Stockland and AGL, and before moving into the energy sector he was a lawyer at Clayton Utz with transactional, anti-trust and corporate finance experience.
Andrew Blaver
Panellist
Head of Distribution Energy Transition
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Western Power
Andrew has over 25 years of experience in the construction, communications and electricity industries in Australia, Southeast Asia and North America, including at an Executive level.
Helen Mitchell
Sir Roland Wilson Scholar
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Australian National University
Helen Mitchell is an economist and former diplomat, most recently a senior expert providing strategic advice to the Prime Minister and rest of government.
Siriana Nair
U.S. Consul General
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U.S. Department of State
Siriana Kvalvik Nair is a career Foreign Service Officer currently serving as the Principal Officer and Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Perth, Australia.
Kerry-Ann Winmar
Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation Director
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Nyungar Tours
Kerry-Ann Winmar is a Whadjuk and Ballardong traditional Owner and Elder with strong family connections across the Perth Metropolitan and the Southwest of Western Australia. She has extensive knowledge to share about Nyungar language, heritage, and Culture which was handed down from her parents.
Dr Gabrielle Kuiper
Panellist
DER Specialist & Guest Contributor
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Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
Dr Gabrielle Kuiper is an energy, sustainability and climate change professional with over 20 years’ experience in the corporate world, government and non-government organisations and academia.
Rob Schlegl
Moderator
Network Contracts Principal
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Synergy
Robert is an AIE (Perth branch) Committee member whose current role is the Network Contracts Principal at Synergy, working within and supporting the Customer Business Unit.
Nick Sloan
Panellist
CEO
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WALGA
Nick Sloan has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) since 2019.
Claude Morris
National Sector Leader - BESS
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GHD
Claude Morris leads the Battery Energy Systems Storage sector across Australia at global professional service firm, GHD.
Sharan Burrow
Former General Secretary
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International Trade Union Confederation
Sharan Burrow is a global advocate for human rights, climate action and Just Transition. She is the Former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (2010-2022. Previously she was President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (2000–2010.)
Anthea Guazzelli
Business Development & Marketing Leader
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GHD
Jodie Kimber
Manager Climate Opportunities
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Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers
Jodie Kimber is an experienced engineer, and project manager with 20 years’ experience in mining, mineral refining, business development and energy transition critical technology, including hydrogen generation. Jodie is skilled in project management, financial modelling, stakeholder management and commercial due diligence. In addition to her Bachelor of Engineering, Jodie holds an MBA from the University of Western Australia. Jodie is currently Climate Opportunities Manager at Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy and Fertilisers. In her current role, Jodie has developed an in-depth knowledge of established and emerging innovations and due diligence on cleantech. Jodie is proud to be involved with the Parmelia Green Hydrogen project on behalf of WesCEF.
Klaas van Alphen
Head of Hydrogen & Future Fuels
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APA Group
Isaac Hinton
Head of Australia
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InterContinental Energy
Daniel Lambert
Co-Fournder and Managing Director
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Legacie
Michelle Elvy
Panellist
General Manager Development
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South32
Michelle possesses more than 20 years of professional and management experience, predominantly in mining, resources and construction. Michelle has worked at all levels of organizations - designing, constructing, commissioning, operating, and across multiple commodities and business models from Alliances, Public-Private Partnerships, EPCM and Joint Ventures.
Ben Vanderwaal
Panellist
Partner
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EY
Jessica Shaw
Panellist
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade; Federal-State Relations; Public Sector Management; and Member for Swan Hills
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Government of Western Australia
Matthew Bowen
Moderator
Lawyer
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Energy Transformations
Neil Duffy
Panellist
Commercial Manager
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APA Group
Dean Sharafi
Panellist
Strategic Advisor - Energy Transition
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AEMO
Rebecca White
Moderator
Principal Power and Gas
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BHP
Jessica Seares
Panellist
Managing Director
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Sia Partners
As the Managing Director of Energy & Utilities at Sia Partners, Australia, Jessica leads teams advising Western Australia's major energy players on strategy, business planning, performance improvement, and stakeholder engagement.
Steve Edwell
Moderator
Chairman
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Economic Regulation Authority
Steve has been the Chair of the Economic Regulation Authority since August 2021. He is an economist specialising in the energy sector. Steve has many years of commercial and regulatory experience working with the public sector, industry agencies and private industry. Before joining the ERA, Steve relinquished his role as Chair of Horizon Power to be appointed as Full time Chair of the WA Government’s Energy Transformation Taskforce. He was the inaugural Chair of the Australian Energy Regulator 2005-10 and was a member of the ERA governing body from 2006 to 2017. In a private consulting capacity, Steve has recently developed a high level design for the electricity market in the Northern Territory and is a member of the Electricity Market Reform Implementation Taskforce in the Northern Territory, as the independent energy market expert.
Jacqueline Crawshaw
Director Policy
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Energy Consumers Australia
Jacqueline has a wealth of energy sector, policy, and regulatory experience, gained through more than fifteen years in the energy industry. In her role as Director Policy, Energy Services and Markets, Jacqueline leads the work at Energy Consumers Australia focused on ensuring good consumers outcomes from the complex energy markets. Jacqueline is passionate about addressing the complex challenges facing energy consumers and framing solutions in a human-centered way.
Tim Bray
Assistant Coordinator
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Energy Policy WA
We have entered a time where we need to do things differently. Tim is connecting people driven by a shared purpose and popping up teams that draw on the best and brightest across business, government, technology and the community to get stuff done.
Ross De Rango
Panellist
Head of Energy & Infrastructure
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Electric Vehicle Council
Ross is a robotics engineer by background and has spent the last seven years getting involved wherever the standards, codes and regulations relating to the electrical infrastructure supporting EVs in Australia are being considered. He has been closely involved in the development of minimum requirements for buildings in Australia in relation to EV readiness and in work preparing the energy system for the wide scale adoption of EVs. Ross and his wife own a Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in hybrid and a pure electric Polestar, and live in Melbourne.
Steve Duggan
Panellist
General Manager
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Energy & Resources Program Bureau of Meteorology
Steve Duggan holds the position of General Manager for the Energy and Resources Program at the Bureau of Meteorology. His role involves strategic engagement, systematic gathering of insights, and deployment of the Bureau’s substantial capabilities to create significant impact and value for Australia’s energy and resources sectors at scale.An experienced engineering professional, Steve Duggan has extensive public and private sector experience and a depth of business and technical skills gained through years of delivering applied science solutions to the energy and resources sectors.‍
Rachel Peterson
Panellist
Executive Director
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California Public Utilities Commission
Rachel Peterson was appointed Executive Director of the California Public Utilities Commission in January 2021. She leads the Commission’s statewide workforce to accomplish California’s pathbreaking goals in the areas of energy, telecommunications, safety, rail, water, and passenger transportation. California is a dynamic state and the CPUC sets policy and rules for utility services that are essential to modern life – and Rachel has set her sights on two long-range strategic priorities: achieve the Commission’s regulatory mission in the context of climate change, and invest in the Commission’s workforce. She is moving the CPUC toward this vision with effective leadership driven by values. Rachel has worked at the CPUC since 2011 in numerous leadership positions, including chief of staff and advisor to Commissioners, and as an executive in the areas of safety policy and enforcement.
Margot Hammond
Panellist
Transition Social Performance Manager
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Western Power
Margot is the Transition Social Performance Manager at Western Power and has the exciting role of managing the development and implementation of social performance framework and strategy to support transmission expansion projects across the network.
John Hassell
Panellist
General Section President (& Members' Representative for Renewable Energy Projects)
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WA Farmers Federation
Sarah Derham
Moderator
Head of Sustainability
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Collgar Renewables
Sarah Derham has been at the forefront of corporate governance and sustainability in the renewable energy sector since joining Collgar in 2021. As Head of Sustainability and Company Secretary, she is responsible for developing ESG strategies, ensuring corporate compliance, and implementing the systems to support best practices in these areas.Sarah brings extensive experience from her previous roles in corporate law and management consulting, where she focused on governance, strategy, risk, and stakeholder engagement. She is passionate about driving sustainable practices and creating positive impacts as part of Collgar’s strategy.Her dedication to strong ESG performance is complemented by her participation on the AEC’s Sustainability Working Group, where she provides the unique perspectives of a renewable energy generator and promotes attention to the challenges of the energy transition in WA.Originally from Kentucky, USA, Sarah holds a JD and BSc (Hons) and has postgraduate certificates in Sustainable Investing (Harvard Business School Online) and Applied Corporate Law and Corporate Governance (Governance Institute of Australia). Additionally, Sarah is an AICD Graduate, Infrastructure Sustainability Accredited Professional and is currently studying sustainability accounting through the IFRS.
Roland Short
Panellist
Principal Consultant - Social Performance
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SLR Consulting
Roland is an experienced social performance consultant with over a decade of experience in community development, social impact, and stakeholder engagement. He has worked on some of Australia's most significant energy and infrastructure projects, supporting clients such as AEMO, Acciona Energia, Alinta Energy, TransGrid, Hydro Tasmania and Origin Energy with strategy, assessments and audits that manage change and achieve improved social performance throughout the project life cycle. His project resume includes national strategy such as the Integrated Systems Plan, organisation-level strategy and framework development for major energy generation businesses, as well as delivering comprehensive project level Social Performance services across the entire suite of energy generation project types, including over 4GW of Wind, multiple Pumped Hydro facilities, over 1000km of new build Transmission and Battery Energy Storage.
Dr Kate George
Panellist
Principal Consultant
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Claypan Services
Dr Kate George is a Putejurra woman from the Murchison-Gascoyne region in Western Australia. She was born on the 494 mile peg of the rabbit-proof fence and belongs to the Putejurra people who are part of the Martu of the Western Desert. She spent 14 years in a Perth institution from the age of 3. She was the first Aboriginal student to graduate in law from the Australian National University, the first Aboriginal woman admitted to practice law in WA, and one of the first Aboriginal women to chair an ASX-listed company.
Dr Alice E. A. Evatt
Research Fellow on Net Zero for the Fossil Fuel Sector
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University of Oxford
Ana Farla
Energy in WA Conference Chair, Customer Project Delivery & Readiness Lead
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AIE Perth, Synergy
Hon Reece Whitby MLA
Western Australian Minister for Energy; Environment; Climate Action
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WA Government
Reece has overseen government departments responsible for protecting Western Australia’s environment since December 2021 and regained the Racing and Gaming portfolio in December 2022.
Kieran Rayney
Panellist
Assistant Director, Electricity Network Regulation
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Energy Policy WA (DMIRS)
Kieran Rayney is Assistant Director, Electricity Network Regulation at Energy Policy WA (DMIRS), where he is leading the implementation of the State Government’s Energy Governance and Legislation Reforms and advising on network regulation matters.
Janica Lukas
Panellist
Distribution Grid Strategy & Planning Manager
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Western Power
As Western Power’s Distribution Grid Strategy & Planning Manager, Janica Lukas is charged with planning for the rapidly changing future of the distribution network of Western Australia’s South West Interconnected System. Janica is responsible for distribution network strategies and the scoping of investment proposals with a project pipeline of $40M-$50M per year.
Prof. Peta Ashworth
Panellist
Director - Curtin Institute for Energy Transition
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Curtin University
Professor Peta Ashworth OAM is the Director, of the Curtin Institute for Energy Transition (CIET). Prior to joining Curtin University, Professor Ashworth was the Director of the Andrew N. Liveris Academy for Innovation and Leadership, and Chair in Sustainable Energy Futures at The University of Queensland (UQ).
Lesley Walker
Panellist
General Manager, Customer Business
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Synergy
Lesley joined Synergy in January 2022 and has considerable prior experience with customer engagement in the banking and finance sectors.
Michelle Beresford
Moderator
Assistant Director
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Energy Demand Initiatives, Energy Policy WA
Michelle Beresford is the Assistant Director of Energy Demand Initiatives, a team within Energy Policy WA that develops policy and program responses to support Western Australian consumers improve energy performance in their homes and businesses.
Fareed Kaviani
Panellist
Research Fellow
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Emerging Technologies Research Lab - Monash University
Fareed is a multidisciplinary social scientist. He is currently a research fellow at the Emerging Technologies Research Lab (ETRL) focusing on energy scenarios and digital technology futures. Additionally, Fareed is a research
Dr Kari Dahlgren
Panellist
Research Fellow, Department of Human Centred Computing
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Monash University
Dr. Kari Dahlgren is a Research Fellow in the Emerging Technologies Research Lab at Monash University. Kari is a social anthropologist and ethnographer interested in the social and ethical aspects of energy production and consumption in Australia.
Kate Hartness
Moderator
Director ESG
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BG&E Resources
Kate has more than 25 years’ experience working with clients and communities in the Infrastructure, Mining, Energy and Property sectors.
Annabel Keogh
Panellist
Head of Strategy, Policy, and Social Value
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Synergy
Annabel is an experienced strategic advisor to government and industry
Anna Hearne
Panellist
Climate Opportunities Manager
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Wesfarmers
Anna has lead the development of WesCEF's net zero roadmap and supported a wide range of climate-related work streams.
Jo Garland
Panellist
Partner at HFW, Head of Energy Transition Group
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HFW
As the head of HFW’s energy transition group Jo focuses on renewable power, decarbonisation projects, hydrogen, green technology commercialisation and climate change fields.
Greg Allen
Panellist
Director Project Development & Deal Origination
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Vestas
Greg is part Vestas’ development team and is responsible for project origination and development activities in Western Australia and South Australia.
Charlie Wilson-Clark
National Mine Environment, Social and Geochemistry Manager
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WSP
Charlie Wilson-Clark is a social performance and community relations specialist with more than 25 years’ professional experience in communications and social management. Her experience includes leading large scale social studies and working with multi-disciplinary teams to plan and deliver on the social aspects of leading practice Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) – from the early stages of exploration, through operations and planning for transition and closure. Under her leadership, the WSP Communities and Social Performance team has built a national reputation for high quality data-driven delivery of social performance services and expert strategic engagement advice and delivery. The team is currently working for a range of industry partners, from small junior explorers through to multi-national mining and energy companies.
Kari Dahlgren
Researcher
Research Fellow
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Emerging Technologies Research Lab - Monash University
Dr. Kari Dahlgren is a Research Fellow in the Emerging Technologies Research Lab. Kari is a social anthropologist and ethnographer interested in the social and ethical aspects of energy production and consumption in Australia. Her work is situated at the intersection of economic and environmental anthropology, with a particular interest in the anthropology of energy, climate change, and transition. Her doctoral thesis in Anthropology, completed at the London School of Economics, draws on ethnographic fieldwork in two Australian coal mining towns, focusing on the livelihoods entangled with the industry.
Jeni Lee
Filmmaker
Filmmaker
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Jeni has 15 years of experience collaborating with diverse community groups, organisations, activists, artists and academics to produce people-centred documentary films. Her work bridges documentary filmmaking and communication for social change, exploring how communication processes and products can perform multiple roles as research, observation, education, inspiring behaviour change, evaluation and advocating for structural change.
Sarah Pink
Director
Professor and Director
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Emerging Technologies Research Lab - Monash University
Sarah Pink is a design anthropologist and documentary filmmaker. She is Professor and Director of the Emerging Technologies Research Lab at Monash University. Her work focuses on how we may live with emerging technologies in possible but as yet unknown and uncertain futures. Her films include Laundry Lives (2015) and Smart Homes for Seniors (2022). Her latest book is Emerging Technologies / Life at the Edge of the Future (2022).
Prof. Petra Tschakert
Professor Of Geography And Global Futures, Director Of Impact, Research And Engagement
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School Of Media, Creative Arts And Social Inquiry, Curtin University
Prof. Tschakert is trained as a human-environment geographer and applied anthropologist and conducts research at the intersection of political ecology, climate change adaptation, climate and mobility justice, multispecies justice, energy humanities,
Greg Ruthven
Moderator
Associate Director
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Rennie Advisory
Greg Ruthven is an Associate Director with Rennie Advisory, with a focus on regulation, reform and strategy in the transitioning energy markets
Mary Burce Warlick
Deputy Executive Director
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International Energy Agency
A retired career diplomat and former U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Ms. Warlick has held a variety of senior leadership positions at the U.S. Department of State, National Security Council and Department of Defense, serving in Washington and abroad.
Peter Markussen
Panellist
Senior Director
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Energinet
Peter Markussen is Senior Director at Energinet, the state-owned Danish Transmission and System Operator.
Naoki Takahashi
Chief Representative
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Japan Bank for International Cooperation
Naoki Takahashi is Chief Representative of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation's Sydney Office
Justin Nash
Business Development Director for Hydrogen in WA
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BP
Justin Nash heads up the Geraldton Export-Scale Renewable Investment (GERI) Project, H2Kwinana and is a director of bp’s Kwinana Refinery subsidiary.
Michael Gunner
Director, Australia West
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Fortescue Future Industries
Michael Gunner is the Director of Australia West, leading Fortescue Future Industries’ (FFI) work across Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.
Prof. Lachlan Blackhall
Panellist
Entrepreneurial Fellow and Head, Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program
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Professor Lachlan Blackhall is Entrepreneurial Fellow and Head, Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program at The Australian National University.
Cecily Rawlinson
Director
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WA Cyber Security Innovation Hub
Cecily Rawlinson was appointed in July 2021 as Director of the WA AustCyber Innovation Hub, recently rebranded as CyberWest.
Scott Hamilton
Panellist
VP of Origination
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Xodus
Scott is VP of Origination at Xodus with a remit to update and change the company’s business model as it relates to the offshore wind sector.
Holly Taylor
Head of Strategy and Partnerships
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Energy Efficiency Council
Holly leads a team that focuses on strategic initiatives that build the energy management market, facilitating the realisation of an equitable, prosperous, net zero economy.
Jenness Gardner
Moderator
Chief Executive Officer
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Economic Regulation Authority
Jenness Gardner is an experienced strategic leader working in the energy and resources sector leading economic policy development, commercial negotiations and large scale project development for the state.
Fabian Le Gay Brereton
Panellist
Chief Executive Officer
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Gridcog
Fabian Le Gay Brereton is a passionate clean energy entrepreneur and the Co-Founder and CEO of Gridcog, a groundbreaking startup dedicated to the clean energy transition.
2023 Speaker: Alan Finkel
Chair, Corporate Advisor and Author
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Stile Education
Dr Alan Finkel AC is a neuroscientist, engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Sarah McNamara
Panellist
Chief Executive
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Australian Energy Council
Sarah is an is an industry leader with more than a decade of experience working with policy and regulatory frameworks across the resources and energy sectors.
Mark Jeisman
Panellist
WA Business Development Manager
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JET Charge
As the WA Business Development Manager at JET Charge, Mark has been privileged to be part of the team delivering landmark projects including the State Government's WA EV Network.
David Fyfe
Chief Executive Officer
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Synergy
David has more than 20 years' experience across the energy and telecommunications industries, including holding executive roles in operations, commercial sales, asset management and business development.
Sally McMahon
Panellist
Commissioner
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AEMC
Sally McMahon is an economist with more than 25 years’ experience in energy and industry reform programs.
Katie McKenzie
Moderator
Group Manager
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WA System Design and Transformation, AEMO and President, Australian Institute of Energy Board
Katie is an energy policy, regulation & stakeholder relations specialist focused on progressing a secure, low-carbon, consumer-centric energy transition through her current roles with AEMO and AIE.
Martin Wilkes
Managing Director
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RISC
Martin Wilkes is the Managing Director of RISC, an independent International Energy Advisory company headquartered in Perth, Western Australia.
Jacinda Papps
Panellist
General Manager, Regulatory Affairs and Compliance
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Alinta Energy
Jacinda Papps is a regulatory, policy and government relations professional with over 20 years’ experience in energy markets across multiple jurisdictions, including 15 years in Western Australia.
Rob Chandler
Moderator
Program Manager
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Western Power
Rob Chandler is Program Manager – Access Solutions in the Western Power Customer Decarbonisation business unit. His focus is transmission connected renewables and storage, working with commercial and industrial customers to connect new facilities to the SWIS. Before joining Western Power he was involved in the construction industry, initially onshore commercial and industrial projects before moving to an offshore construction contractor specialising in subsea infrastructure. He has a broad range of experience in construction contracting and project controls with a focus on commercial management.
TBC
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Nic Eaton
Energy Director - Australia
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Alcoa
TBC
Pierluigi Mancarella
Chair Professor of Electrical Power Systems
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The University of Melbourne
Pierluigi Mancarella is Chair Professor of Electrical Power Systems at the University of Melbourne, Australia, and Professor of Smart Energy Systems at the University of Manchester, UK.
Kurt Baker
Executive General Manager Future Strategy
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Synergy
Chris Alexander
Panellist
Member
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WA Expert Consumer Panel
Chris is a member of the Western Australian Expert Consumer Panel and Market Advisory Panel, where he advocates for consumers on a range of network regulatory, retail market and energy transition issues.
Prof. Yolande Strengers
Panellist
Professor of Digital Technology and Society
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Emerging Technologies Research Lab, Monash University
Yolande Strengers is a digital sociologist and human-computer interaction professor investigating the sustainability, energy and inclusion impacts of digital and smart technologies, including emerging forms of AI.
Bethwyn Cowcher
Division Director
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Macquarie Group
Supporting the energy transition. Specialties include strategy development, commercial negotiation, renewable projects, gas, electricity, hydrogen, asset sales and acquisitions.
Mena Gilchrist
Conference Chair
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Energy in WA
A well-regarded energy professional with 15 years experience in Western Australia's unique energy sector. Mena's career has included high-profile electricity reform projects, such as the Energy Transformation Strategy and Electricity Market Review, She's developed an excellent understanding of the challenges ahead, and the opportunities for growth and leadership.
Ingrid Cumming
Facilitator
General Manager Aboriginal Empowerment
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Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Western Australia
Ingrid Cumming is a Whadjuk Balardong Noongar woman from Fremantle, Western Australia and recognised young leader within the First Nations community. Ingrid is the founder and principal consultant of Kart Koort Wiern consultancy, representing First Nations Business globally for over ten years, alumni of Murdoch University and Melbourne Business School. Ingrid was part of the establishment of the Indigenous Women in Business network and has served as a Commissioner for Conservation for the WA state government. Ingrid has worked with a variety of sectors and organisations, creating, facilitating and evaluating programs and strategies to address issues and strengths. Ingrid has won and been a finalist in a range of awards like NAIDOC Perth, Telstra Women in Business, Curtin Vice-Chancellor Awards, ‘Champion for Change’ by EPHEA (Equity Practitioners in Higher Education Australasia), WA Heritage Awards and Belmont Small Business Awards. Ingrid has presented at various forums and conferences around the world in relation to engagement, equity and diversity matters including as a delegate at the UN Women Leaders Conference in Israel in 2013, TedXPerth in 2014 been on various TV programs, including the Drum in 2021. Ingrid is a strong ally of LGBTIQ, First Nations, Youth and diverse groups, stakeholders and organisations.
Caren McLaren
Facilitator
Chair
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Australian Institute of Energy
Bringing connectivity to rural, regional, and remote Australia.
Ruby Heard
Electrical Engineer and Energy Consultant
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Director, Alinga Energy Consulting
Ruby Heard is a versatile and ambitious entrepreneur and electrical engineer with global experience and an affinity for sustainability. She began her career with Arup designing electrical and lighting systems for iconic buildings in Melbourne. In 2015 she transferred to San Francisco to follow her passion into the renewable energy sector, designing complex solar arrays and microgrids for Google campuses. 
Stephanie Unwin
CEO
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Horizon 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.

Who attends

The Energy in WA Conference attracts a diverse group of Energy Industry Professionals including Energy Retailers, Consultants, Energy Providers and Government Services. Industry professionals attend with a wide range of experience at every industry level. The graphs below contain figures on industry experience, and industry sectors of past delegates.

Industry sectors donut chart
Industry level donut chart
2025 conference

Speakers

We are currently working on a great line-up of international, national and local speakers for this year’s Energy in WA Conference, with more speakers to be confirmed soon.

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Mary Stewart
Partner
ERM
Sydney, NSW

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Brendan Banfield
CEO
Gridsight
Wollongong, NSW

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Peta Ashworth
Director
Curtin University’s Institute for Energy Transition
Western Australia

more info
Alex Jenkins
Director
WA Data Science Innovation Hub
Western Australia

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Phil Ireland
President
Enscope
Western Australia

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Steve Edwell
Chair
Economic Regulation Authority
Western Australia

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George Martin
Chief Technology Officer
Starling Energy Group Pty Ltd (Plico)
Melbourne

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James Choi
Honorary Ambassador for Foreign Investment Promotion
Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
Sydney, NSW

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Saul Griffiths
Engineer, Entrepreneur, and Author
Specialising in clean and renewable energy technologies
Sydney, NSW

Saul Griffith is an engineer, entrepreneur, and author focused on clean energy and electrification. He has founded multiple technology companies and is the founder of Rewiring America, Rewiring Australia, and Rewiring Aotearoa.

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Sam Barbaro
CEO
Western Power
Western Australia

Sam was appointed Western Power CEO in August 2022. He has been a member of the Executive team since 2014 serving firstly as the Executive Manager of the Governance & Assurance and then the Executive Manager Asset Operations.

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Krystal Skinner
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Horizon Power
Western Australia

Krystal Skinner is the Acting CEO of Horizon Power, leading a team of 600+ staff to deliver power to approximately 47,000 customer accounts across regional and remote Western Australia. She has extensive experience in WA's energy sector, including in executive roles leading electrification and distributed energy initiatives, and delivering priority asset programs for some of the State's most remote Aboriginal communities in support of Closing the Gap.

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Andre Winarto
Program Director
Perth USAsia Centre
Western Australia

Andre Winarto is Program Director at the Perth USAsia Centre, WA's leading foreign policy think tank, where he leads the program on the geopolitics of critical minerals and the energy transition.

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Tim Bray
Assistant Coordinator
Energy Policy WA
Western Australia

We have entered a time where we need to do things differently. Tim is connecting people driven by a shared purpose and popping up teams that draw on the best and brightest across business, government, technology and the community to get stuff done.

more info
FAQs

Have a question that we haven't answered in our FAQs? 

Contact us
Can I share my ticket with a colleague?

Yes. Your ticket is entirely transferable. You can attend your favourite sessions and then hand your pass to a colleague to attend theirs. Just remember, only one person per ticket for each session.

Can I cancel my ticket?

We accept cancellation requests 1 month prior to the conference with a $110 administration fee. No refunds are provided within 30 days of the conference.

Can I sponsor the conference?

We're so please you asked! Please see our 2024 Sponsorship Prospectus.

Are there discounts?

Yes! We also offer discounts for AIE members. Please see our tickets page for more information.

Can I bring a partner/friend to the Conference dinner?

Yes. Individual tickets can be purchased for the Conference dinner. Please see our tickets page for more information.

How do I register a Group or Shared Passes?

Please follow the instructions in the attached PDF to create a group registration or share pass registration.

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