Australian Energy Council Conference 2026 Energy2050: Mapping the Way Forward

Speaker Biographies

• More details about Keynote Speaker | Frank Calabria, Origin, CEO

  Keynote Speaker | Frank Calabria, Origin, CEO

  Frank was appointed CEO of Origin in 2016. Prior to this he was the CEO of the Energy Markets business and the company’s CFO. Origin's ambition is to lead the energy transition through cleaner energy and customer solutions. The company is pursuing ambitious emissions reduction targets, including a long-term aim to be net zero emissions by 2050. Executing Origin’s strategy involves accelerating investment in renewable energy and storage, delivering unrivalled customer solutions, and ensuring reliable energy through the energy transition. Origin is investing in new technologies to make energy easier, more efficient and smarter. Origin has migrated its customers to the market-leading Kraken platform to provide better service at lower cost. Origin has also developed a range of EV solutions and is partnering with large businesses to support them on the decarbonisation journey. Through Loop, Origin’s fast-growing, purpose-built virtual power plant, the company orchestrates hundreds of thousands of distributed energy assets in homes and businesses to more efficiently manage supply and demand for electricity, sharing benefits with customers. Frank is a leading advocate on behalf of Origin customers for energy policy that encourages investment in cleaner, reliable and affordable energy supply. Frank is Chair of the Australian Energy Council and a Director of Australian Energy Producers.

• More details about Afternoon Keynote | Dennis Barnes, Snowy Hydro, Chief Executive Officer

  Afternoon Keynote | Dennis Barnes, Snowy Hydro, Chief Executive Officer

  BSc (Hons), MBA, DipM Dennis was appointed Snowy Hydro Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Company in February 2023. Dennis has over three decades’ experience in the energy sector, with a focus on renewables and retail, and brings a wealth of strategic knowledge and proven capability in delivering strong performance across large energy businesses.

• More details about Host and MC | Louisa Kinnear, Australian Energy Council, Chief Executive Officer

  Host and MC | Louisa Kinnear, Australian Energy Council, Chief Executive Officer

  Louisa Kinnear assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Energy Council in September 2024.Prior to this, Louisa was the Chief Executive Officer at Jacana Energy, the largest energy retailer in the Northern Territory. She has also held senior roles at Synergy, Western Power and Water Corporation and previously worked for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in Western Australia. For the past 15 years, Louisa has helped governments, businesses, and customers across various jurisdictions navigate and benefit from the renewable energy transition. She is a strong advocate for fostering collaboration across the energy sector to ensure a successful transition.

• More details about Panellist | Matthew Brine, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Deputy Secretary

  Panellist | Matthew Brine, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Deputy Secretary

  Matthew is the Deputy Secretary of the Energy Group, which includes the Clean Energy Investment Facilitation, Electricity, Gas and Liquid Fuels, Energy Performance, and National Energy Transformation divisions. He joined the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) in November 2023, where he led the development and rollout of the Capacity Investment Scheme. Before joining DCCEEW, Matthew headed telecommunications infrastructure policy at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCA). In that role, he was responsible for policy on 5G network deployment, Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEOSats), and the National Broadband Network (NBN). He also played a central role in the Government’s response to the Optus data breach. Earlier in his career, Matthew spent 20 years at the Australian Treasury, leading divisions responsible for macroeconomic modelling and policy, tax analysis, and environment, industry and infrastructure policy. He also spent three years in the Treasurer’s Office as Principal Policy Officer to the Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister (at the time), Wayne Swan. Matthew holds qualifications in economics and law from the Australian National University.

• More details about Panellist | Jeff Dimery, Alinta Energy, MD & CEO

  Panellist | Jeff Dimery, Alinta Energy, MD & CEO

  Jeff joined Alinta Energy as CEO in 2011 and became Managing Director & CEO in April 2017. Jeff is a senior figure in the Australian energy sector with around 30 years of experience. He is a former Chair of the Australian Energy Council and current board member. Jeff was also a founding member of Australia’s Clean Energy Council, having previously served on the Boards of The Renewable Energy Generators of Australia and the Australian Wind Energy Association. He helped pioneer many of Australia’s earliest renewable energy developments including several wind farms and a large-scale solar project prior to joining Alinta Energy. Jeff’s formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Business degree from RMIT University and an Executive Programme at IMD in Switzerland.

• More details about Panellist | Gavin Dufty, St Vincent de Paul Society Australia, Director Energy Policy and Research

  Panellist | Gavin Dufty, St Vincent de Paul Society Australia, Director Energy Policy and Research

  Gavin is Director Energy Policy and Research at St Vincent de Paul Society Australia. In this role he undertakes research, policy evaluation and advocacy focus on gas, water and electricity services. He a representative on number energy industry, government and regulatory and policy advisory committees, including various transmission and distribution customer committees, AGL, Origin and Energy Australia energy retailer customer panels and the AEMC AEMO AER and ESC customer consultative groups. Gavin is also a Board member of Energy Consumers Australia

• More details about Panellist | Suzanne Falvi, AGL, Executive General Manager, Corporate Affairs

  Panellist | Suzanne Falvi, AGL, Executive General Manager, Corporate Affairs

  Suzanne joined AGL in May 2023 as Executive General Manager, Corporate Affairs. Over the past 14 years Suzanne has worked extensively on a broad range of regulatory, governance and policy issues and leading reforms across energy and climate change frameworks. Formerly a dispute resolution lawyer, she has held numerous senior leadership roles at the Energy Security Board and the Australian Energy Market Commission and has deep experience in strategic stakeholder engagement and communications, strategy and economic analysis. Suzanne holds a Bachelor of Economics, a Bachelor of Law (Honours) and a Master of Laws (International Law) from the Australian National University.

• More details about Panellist | Brendan French, Energy Consumers Australia, CEO

  Panellist | Brendan French, Energy Consumers Australia, CEO

  Dr Brendan French is a leading consumer protection and dispute resolution expert, with extensive executive experience across corporate, academic, public, and community spheres. Prior to joining Energy Consumers Australia as CEO, Brendan championed consumer interests as the Commonwealth Bank’s Executive General Manager Customer and Community Advocacy and before that as Deputy Ombudsman at the Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON). He also taught in the Law School at Western Sydney University, was a Board director for a number of consumer and charitable organisations, and is a published author of academic and popular texts. Brendan holds a doctorate in the History of Ideas and has been awarded for his innovative work on fostering trust between community, corporates and government.

• More details about International Speaker | Ned Hammond, Energy UK, Deputy Director, Policy

  International Speaker | Ned Hammond, Energy UK, Deputy Director, Policy

  Ned Hammond is the Deputy Director of the Customer policy team at Energy UK, the trade association for the country’s energy industry. He leads the organisation’s work on energy costs, retail markets, and heat decarbonisation. Prior to joining Energy UK, he was the Head of Energy and Environment at the think tank Onward. Before moving into energy policy, he held various roles in investment banking, most recently being the Head of Environmental, Social and Governance research at Berenberg Bank. He holds a BA in Philosophy and Economics from University College London and a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business from the University of Cambridge.

• More details about Panellist | Erin van Maanen, Hydro Tasmania, Executive General Manager Strategy

  Panellist | Erin van Maanen, Hydro Tasmania, Executive General Manager Strategy

  Erin is an experienced energy sector leader with two decades experience across large-scale energy project development, wholesale trading, corporate finance and strategy. Erin has deep knowledge of the market and policy environment in the Australian energy sector. Erin is currently Executive GM Strategy and Commercial at Hydro Tasmania, responsible for setting Hydro Tasmania’s strategic direction and growing and maximising portfolio value through project development, origination, portfolio optimisation and energy trading activities. Erin has held prior senior leadership roles in strategy, corporate finance, governance and commercial activities. Erin has also worked in wind development in Australia and Asia, and in renewable energy project advisory at Macquarie Capital in Hong Kong.

• More details about Panellist | Luke Menzel, Energy Efficiency Council, Chief Executive Officer

  Panellist | Luke Menzel, Energy Efficiency Council, Chief Executive Officer

  Luke Menzel is a seasoned executive and policy professional with deep expertise in energy transition and decarbonisation. He is CEO of the Energy Efficiency Council, the peak body for energy efficiency, electrification and energy flexibility, a Director at the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), Vice-President of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), and Co-chair of the Australia-Germany Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Working Group. He leads the EEC’s engagement with the annual Conference of Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). He is also a co-host of the popular Australian climate and energy podcast Let Me Sum Up.

• More details about Panellist | Jessica Morris, SA Power Networks, Chief Customer & Strategy Officer

  Panellist | Jessica Morris, SA Power Networks, Chief Customer & Strategy Officer

  Jess has over 15 years’ experience in the energy industry, applying her strategic communications, community building and stakeholder engagement skills, to deeply understand customer perspectives on energy. Prior to joining the industry, Jess worked in diverse fields across government and private sectors. She is passionate about working collaboratively with stakeholders across the supply chain to enable a renewable energy transition that improves outcomes for all customers.

• More details about Panellist | Tim Nelson, Griffith University, Associate Professor

  Panellist | Tim Nelson, Griffith University, Associate Professor

  Tim has a rare blend of executive experience in commercial operations, P&L responsibility, investment and public policy experience at the highest level. Tim was the Chair of the independent review of Australia's National Electricity Market in 2025. The Review made a series of important recommendations to energy ministers in December 2025 which are to be implemented in 2026. 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.

• More details about Panellist | Sam Pearce, Collgar Renewables, Chief Executive Officer

  Panellist | Sam Pearce, Collgar Renewables, Chief Executive Officer

  Sam was appointed as Collgar Renewables CEO in July 2024. He has over 30 years of experience in the energy and utilities sectors, specialising in operations, investment management, corporate development, strategy, and transaction execution. His expertise spans merchant energy, gas distribution, power generation (both gas and renewables), and electricity and gas transmission in Australia and New Zealand. Before joining Collgar Renewables, Sam held senior roles at QIC Infrastructure, APA Group, Stockland, and AGL. Sam has a diverse range of skills across greenfield energy developments in gas transmission and power generation (renewables and gas), public market M&A as well as multiple trade sales of assets across the energy value chain.

• More details about Panellist | Andrew Richards, Energy Users Association of Australia, Chief Executive Officer

  Panellist | Andrew Richards, Energy Users Association of Australia, Chief Executive Officer

  Andrew has over 35 years of energy industry and infrastructure development experience having held a variety of senior management roles in the areas of sales and marketing, public and stakeholder relations, media and communications, strategic planning, policy development, stakeholder engagement and political advocacy. For the last 9 years Andrew has been Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Users Association of Australia (EUAA). The EUAA is the peak national body representing Australian commercial and industrial electricity and gas users. EUAA membership covers a broad cross-section of the Australian economy including significant retail, manufacturing, mining, materials and food processing industries. Under his leadership the EUAA has positioned itself as a highly respected thought leader and trusted advisor to energy industry players, regulators and governments and is recognised by these stakeholders as a strong advocate for energy users. Andrew continues to play a key role in a range of energy market reform processes being undertaken by AEMO, AEMC, ACCC and Federal Government where he is involved in the Post 2025 Market Design Advisory Group and Energy Sector Plan Advisory Group. Andrew is also involved in the Federal Government Energy Industry Roundtable, ACCC Infrastructure Consultative Committee and a number of State Government key stakeholder roundtables.

• More details about Presenter | Josef Tadich, Tesla Energy, Regional Director

  Presenter | Josef Tadich, Tesla Energy, Regional Director

  Josef Tadich is a Chartered Professional Engineer and Fellow of the Electrical College of the Institute of Engineers Australia, having been awarded National Professional Electrical Engineer of the year by Engineers Australia in 2021. He began his career as an Engineering Officer in the Royal Australian Navy, and after peace-keeping activities in Iraq dedicated his career to renewable energy. With over 20 years of experience in the renewable industry, he joined Tesla in 2015 to lead the APAC engineering team for residential/utility battery storage and EV charging infrastructure, and has an expert understanding of the Australian energy market. Since 2022, Josef has been the Regional Director for Tesla Energy in APAC, as well as executive Director of Tesla Motors Australia for the energy and vehicles businesses with an annual revenue of over $5B and around 1000 employees and growing. Josef has an engineering degree from UNSW, and Masters degrees in Engineering Management and Energy Systems from RMIT and Melbourne University, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)

• More details about Panellist | Michael Weaver, Australian Retirement Trust, General Manager, Mid-Risk Assets and UK

  Panellist | Michael Weaver, Australian Retirement Trust, General Manager, Mid-Risk Assets and UK

  Michael joined Australian Retirement Trust, formerly Sunsuper, in 2006, and is General Manager, Mid Risk Assets & UK, responsible for leading a team who manage the infrastructure, real estate and private credit portfolios which total over A$60b. Responsibilities include portfolio construction, research, investment selection and monitoring and reporting. Prior to the 2022 merger with QSuper which created ART, Michael was Head of Private Markets at Sunsuper and had responsibility for the infrastructure, real estate, private equity and private debt portfolios. Prior to joining Australian Retirement Trust, he spent 9 years as a consultant at Mercer providing advice to large corporate clients. Michael has a Bachelor of Business (Finance & Accounting) from the University of Technology, Sydney, a Graduate Certificate of Management (International Business) from the University of New England, a Masters of Applied Finance & Investment from FINSIA and is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

• More details about Panellist | Renene Windsor, Aurecon, Industry Director, Transmission & Distribution

  Panellist | Renene Windsor, Aurecon, Industry Director, Transmission & Distribution

  Renene is a senior energy industry leader and technical expert delivering some Australia’s most complex and nationally significant transmission and distribution infrastructure. With key roles across major transmission programs including Project EnergyConnect, HumeLink and Australia’s first Renewable Energy Zones, she is helping build the backbone required to strengthen the reliability and security of Australia’s electricity supply as the system transitions to renewables. Renene’s work reflects the reality that enduring, system‑wide outcomes depend on effective collaboration across industry, government and regional communities. She brings years’ of experience navigating the multi‑year, multi‑stakeholder programs that underpin large‑scale transmission, where planning approvals, land access, logistics, financing and engineering must progress in parallel across diverse geographies. Her focus is on applying innovation and fostering collaboration — locally and globally — to deliver energy infrastructure at the pace and scale required. As Aurecon’s Industry Director for Transmission & Distribution, Renene leads strategy, delivery and technical excellence across network infrastructure. With experience spanning the full energy supply chain - from generation and storage through to transmission, distribution and end use - she brings a practical, delivery‑focused perspective to energy system transformation