New.E Knowledge Exchange - March

Join NewH2 as we kick off 2025 with the launch of our new brand, “New.E,” symbolising our expanding role in the energy transformation.

We'll also begin the official countdown to the Hunter New Energy Symposium 2025, set to take place on 21–22 May 2025.

Guest speaker Jo Lynch will present an independent assessment of the environmental considerations for offshore wind capability in the Hunter, while Darren Clarke will provide insights into the projects EnergyCo is delivering across the Hunter and Central Coast region. He’ll also highlight industry and business opportunities emerging from the renewable energy transition and is eager to hear from attendees on how EnergyCo can better support industry, businesses, and the community in positioning themselves for success.

As part of the registration process, we’ll be asking a short survey to help EnergyCo tailor its approach to supporting industry, businesses, and the community.

Further details below.

Ample networking over morning tea will be provided.

When: Wednesday 26th March
HunterNet - 102/470 King St, Newcastle West
$15pp includes morning tea

SPEAKERS

Jo Lynch
Jo Lynch is a lifelong resident of the Hunter, raised on Wonnarua Country. Since 2018, she has worked with the Hunter Community Environment Centre to coordinate grassroots environment, climate and conservation campaigns, with a primary focus between 2019-2022 on the adverse impacts of coal-ash waste pollution on waterways and ecology from NSW’s thermal coal industry. Jo is Secretary of the Hunter Jobs Alliance and Hunter Community Organizer with national organisation, RE-Alliance pursuing Commonwealth funding to establish a national network of Local Energy Hubs to give regional communities access to independent, trusted advice on all aspects of the shift to renewable energy. Jo is passionate about an equitable transition to renewable energy for the Hunter in which the regions’ rich cultural and ecological diversity and strong working-class legacy can continue to thrive together as the region navigates the structural and societal change required to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Presentation summary:
The Hunter Community Environment Centre's forthcoming report on the Hunter-Central Coast Offshore Wind Zone highlights the significant role offshore wind energy will play in global efforts to combat climate change, and identifies a range of potential strategies to avoid potential environmental impacts, including seabird collision mortality and secondary entanglement of marine mega fauna. By setting out the documented potential impacts of offshore wind based on international experience and issuing recommendations to address these anticipated potential impacts, the report seeks to refute misinformation whilst providing the Hunter community, offshore wind proponents and Government information and incentive to ensure the offshore wind sector in development for the Hunter is ecologically sustainable and positioned to achieve a net-positive outcomes for nature.

Darren Clarke, Director of Regional Coordination at EnergyCo
Darren brings over 20 years of expertise in energy infrastructure delivery and environmental planning. Darren has worked in senior executive roles across NSW government, TransGrid as well as with energy retailer, Shell Energy Australia.

Darren will provide an overview into the various projects being delivered by EnergyCo in the Hunter and Central Coast Region. He will also share some of the industry and business opportunities that can be unlocked through the renewable energy transition, but also is intent on hearing from attendees as to how EnergyCo can better enable industry, businesses and community to be strategically positioned for success.

Why Attend?

• Discover the future of energy in the Hunter region
• Learn about the new partnership between HunterNet and EnergyCo to help boost industry insights and grow local business opportunities.
• Hear firsthand about opportunities for businesses in the renewable energy sector
• Gain valuable insight into the role of EnergyCo as Infrastructure Planner in the region
• Share your experiences and ideas around how EnergyCo can better engage