Energy in Western Australia Conference 2026

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Aaron Hood

Managing Director
Wesfarmers Chemicals Energy & Fertilisers

Bill Farren-Price

Head of Gas Research
Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

Brad McIlroy

Director | Strategic Projects Director
Entellus Energy | Nu-phase

Brent Gimpel

Head of Technology
ElectraNet

Cameron Owens

Head of DER & Engineering
Synergy

Chandra Sundareswaran

Director, Centre for Learning Enterprise & Partnership Engagement
Curtin University

Daniel Mercer

Energy Reporter
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Dev Tayal

Policy & Business Development
Tesla

Ed Coper

Chief Executive Officer
Populares

Gair Landsborough

Acting Chief Executive Officer
Western Power

Gareth Wright

Head of Climate Strategy and Engagement
Woodside Energy

Gary Bryant

Executive General Manager Power
APA Group

Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson

Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation
Government of Western Australia

Jai Thomas

Deputy Director General - Coordinator of Energy, Energy Policy WA
WA Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED)

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Jenness Gardner

Chief Executive Officer
Economic Regulation Authority Western Australia

Jennie Milne

Executive General Manager People, Safety and Governance
Horizon Power

Jo Christie

Executive Manager People
Western Power

Jop van Hattum

Chief Executive Officer
Gingerah Energy

Jordan Prainito

Co-Founder & Managing Director
Auzvolt

Kieron Hendicott

Acting Chief Executive / Deputy Chief Executive
Infrastructure WA

Kirsten Rose

Executive General Manager WA and Strategy
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)

Krystal Skinner

Chief Executive Officer
Horizon Power

Laurent Trost

Chief Operations Officer
Yara

Martin Maticka

Group Manager, WA Operations
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)

Mary Burce Warlick

Deputy Executive Director
International Energy Agency (IEA)

Masoud Abshar

Managing Director
Magellan Power

Matt McKee

Chief Researcher
Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE)

Maureen Boyle

Senior Research Fellow, Curtin Institute of Energy Transition
Curtin University

Oliver Nunn

Managing Director
Endgame Analytics

Patrick Peake

Senior Manager WA EMR
AGL | Perth Energy

Peta Ashworth

Director, Curtin Institute for Energy Transition (CIET)
Curtin University

Rachael Smith

Executive General Manager, Commercial and Growth
Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG)

Rob Wilson

Executive Director, Western Australia and Resources
Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)

Sally McMahon

Commissioner
Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)

Senior representative

Fortescue

Steve Armitage

Project Director
GenusPlus Group

Tim Bray

Deputy Director General, PoweringWA
WA Department of Energy and Economic Diversification

Troy Eaton

Co-Chair
Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation

Brad McIlroy

Director | Strategic Projects Director
Entellus Energy | Nu-phase

Brad McIlroy is an energy management and renewable energy specialist with more than 15 years’ experience delivering practical, technology-driven energy solutions across Australia and internationally. Beginning his career as an electrician, Brad has built expertise spanning microgrids, battery energy storage, off-grid and hybrid power systems, energy data management, and utility optimisation.

As Director of Entellus Energy, Brad helps organisations improve energy performance through innovative, cost-effective solutions that balance reliability, affordability, and sustainability. He has led the delivery of complex renewable energy and battery storage projects, including Australia's first off-grid electric truck fleet, bringing together technical knowledge, strategic leadership, and hands-on project execution to achieve successful outcomes.

Speaking at

08:45

Welcome from AIE Perth conference committee Chair

Speaker Speakers

Brad McIlroy,

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Panel Discussion

16:15

Panel discussion: Unlocking the full capability of inverter-based resources in a rapidly changing SWIS

Speaker Speakers

Brad McIlroy,

Gary Bryant,

Martin Maticka,

Cameron Owens,

Jai Thomas,

Dev Tayal,

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17:10

Closing remarks from AIE Perth conference committee Chair

Speaker Speakers

Brad McIlroy,

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Daniel Mercer

Energy Reporter
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Daniel Mercer has spent nearly two decades reporting on politics, business, energy and resources across Australia. As part of the ABC’s National, Regional and Rural team, he covers the energy sector with a focus on the policy, commercial and community issues shaping the transition. He previously spent more than a decade with Seven West Media and The West Australian, building an extensive network across government, politics and business.

Speaking at

09.05

Opening remarks from the Chair

Speaker Speakers

Daniel Mercer,

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Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson

Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation
Government of Western Australia

Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson is Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation; Manufacturing; Skills and TAFE; Pilbara.

First elected to WA Parliament in 2013 for the East Metropolitan Region, she then went on to win the lower house seat of Morley in 2017.

In the McGowan Government’s first term, she served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; State Development, Jobs and Trade; Federal-State Relations; Parliamentary Secretary of the Cabinet.

Amber-Jade was crucial in delivering Western Australia’s Voluntary Assisted Dying laws. As the Chair of the Joint Select Committee on End of Life Choices she oversaw extensive community consultation, a year-long parliamentary inquiry and debate, and finally the passing of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill.

On 21 December, Amber-Jade Sanderson was sworn in as Minister for Health; Mental Health. Prior to this she was the Minister for Environment; Climate Action; Commerce.

Before entering Parliament, she was Assistant Secretary at United Voice and remains passionate about the protection of working people’s rights.

She holds a BA (Journalism) and lives in Bayswater with her partner Philip and her two children.

Speaking at

09:15

Powering WA’s future: certainty, investment, and the path to net zero

Speaker Speakers

Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson,

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Mary Burce Warlick

Deputy Executive Director
International Energy Agency (IEA)

Mary Burce Warlick is the Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA). 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. From 2014-2017 she served as the State Department’s Principal Deputy and Acting Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs and represented the U.S. on the IEA Governing Board. Ms. Warlick holds a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in Law and Diplomacy.

Speaking at

09:30

Reframing critical minerals competition to unlock Australia’s decarbonisation advantage

Speaker Speakers

Mary Burce Warlick,

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Aaron Hood

Managing Director
Wesfarmers Chemicals Energy & Fertilisers

Aaron was appointed Managing Director, Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers (WesCEF) on 1 November 2024.

Prior to this, Aaron held a number of executive roles across both Wesfarmers and WesCEF since joining the Wesfarmers Group in 2017. At Wesfarmers, he worked in business development before being appointed as Executive General Manager Business Development. At WesCEF, he held the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer over a five-year period.

Aaron began his career in investment banking with Macquarie in Sydney, before moving into private equity funds management across the industrial and mining sectors. He has also led the commercial team and investments for a prominent Australian family office.

Aaron is currently a Director of Covalent Lithium and represents Wesfarmers’ investment in the joint venture managing the integrated Mt Holland lithium mining & refining project.

Aaron holds Mechanical Engineering (Honours) and Commerce degrees from The University of Western Australia; a Master of Business Administration from INSEAD, is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Speaking at

09:55

Securing WA’s industrial future: the role of gas in a changing energy system

Speaker Speakers

Aaron Hood,

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Sally McMahon

Commissioner
Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)

Sally McMahon is an economist with more than 25 years’ experience in energy and industry reform programs. Commencing her career investigating third-party gas access regimes, she has been an advisor and executive with economic regulators, governments, electricity and gas businesses, and investment funds in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and Canada.

Sally has held key roles in the evolution of jurisdictional energy markets and the establishment and ongoing development of the law and rules for the National Electricity and Gas Market. More recently, Sally has been Special Advisor to the Energy Coordinator in Western Australia on stage two of the Energy Transformation Strategy, an advisor on the regulatory framework for the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and is the Independent Chair of the Market Advisory Committee, the Gas Advisory Board and the Pilbara Advisory Committee in Western Australia.

Sally was appointed as part-time Councillor of the National Competition Council on 23 February 2024 for a term of 24 months. Sally was reappointed to this role for a three-year period beginning on 18 February 2026 up to and including 17 February 2029.

Sally holds an Honours degree in Economics from the Flinders University of South Australia and is a GAICD. Sally is also a member of the Economic Society of Australia and a former Chair of Women in Economics Network of WA.

Speaking at

11:00

Designing transmission at scale: What can WA learn from NSW REZ delivery?

Speaker Speakers

Sally McMahon,

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Jenness Gardner

Chief Executive Officer
Economic Regulation Authority Western Australia

Jenness has been the ERA’s Chief Executive Officer since November 2017. Under her leadership, the ERA has developed a reputation as an innovative, effective and highly professional regulator. This has contributed to the expansion of the ERA’s regulatory functions and rapid growth of the organisation.

Jenness has significant experience in State and Commonwealth governments and the resources sector, leading economic policy development, commercial negotiations and large scale project development for Western Australia. She has an honours degree in economics and is an AICD company directors course graduate. Jenness is currently the president of Institute of Public Administration Australia WA branch.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

11:25

Panel discussion: Examining the realities of delivering transmission

Speaker Speakers

Jenness Gardner,

Tim Bray,

Kieron Hendicott,

Steve Armitage,

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Tim Bray

Deputy Director General, PoweringWA
WA Department of Energy and Economic Diversification

In his role as Deputy Director General, Tim leads PoweringWA to drive the State’s renewable energy transition and coordinate the delivery of critical infrastructure across the State. Tim has extensive experience in the energy sector across both the public and private sectors, with expertise in economic regulation, market design, network service delivery, and the rapidly evolving distributed energy space.

Prior to holding the position of Deputy Director General, Tim served as Assistant Coordinator - Strategic and Consumer Energy Policy within Energy Policy WA, overseeing customer and retail policy, the regulation of emerging energy service models, and the group's contributions to national energy policy and whole-of-Government energy initiatives. Additionally, Tim led the Pilbara energy transition team, working to facilitate regional decarbonisation through the implementation of the Pilbara Energy Transition Plan. This work involves coordinating across Government and collaborating closely with Traditional Owners and industry stakeholders to develop common-use transmission infrastructure in the Pilbara, unlocking the region's best renewable resources.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

11:25

Panel discussion: Examining the realities of delivering transmission

Speaker Speakers

Jenness Gardner,

Tim Bray,

Kieron Hendicott,

Steve Armitage,

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Kieron Hendicott

Acting Chief Executive / Deputy Chief Executive
Infrastructure WA

Kieron Hendicott is a senior executive advisor of Infrastructure WA. Since commencing in 2024, he has delivered key legislative outcomes and major policy initiatives across Western Australia’s infrastructure sector. Previously holding senior executive roles in the New South Wales Government, Kieron led the successful delivery of the NSW Climate Change Adaptation Program and a range of major transmission and energy projects. With over 20 years’ experience, he brings deep expertise and a strategic perspective on policy, planning and the delivery of complex infrastructure.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

11:25

Panel discussion: Examining the realities of delivering transmission

Speaker Speakers

Jenness Gardner,

Tim Bray,

Kieron Hendicott,

Steve Armitage,

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Steve Armitage

Project Director
GenusPlus Group

Steve Armitage is Project Director at GenusPlus Group, where he contributes to the delivery of critical infrastructure projects, with a focus on power transmission connections for renewable energy generators. A PMP-certified project leader with more than 30 years’ experience across utilities, rail, mining and industrial sectors, Steve has led complex design, construction and asset maintenance programs for major clients across Western Australia. His experience spans substations, transmission works, rail networks, off-grid renewable power systems and fixed plant maintenance, underpinned by a strong focus on collaboration, practical delivery and operational excellence.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

11:25

Panel discussion: Examining the realities of delivering transmission

Speaker Speakers

Jenness Gardner,

Tim Bray,

Kieron Hendicott,

Steve Armitage,

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Rob Wilson

Executive Director, Western Australia and Resources
Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)

Robert Wilson is Head of Western Australia and Resources at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, working to accelerate the development of clean energy investment opportunities in Western Australia. Robert has extensive experience throughout the business investment cycle, from concept through to operations, as well as mergers and acquisitions, advisory and commercial experience across the renewables, infrastructure and resources sectors. Robert has held leadership positions in the Macquarie Capital’s African infrastructure business and Atlas Iron, and worked on the establishment of Climate Investor One, a European climate fund focused on emerging markets. Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, and an MBA from the University of Cape Town.

Speaking at

13:30

Delivering scale efficient grid infrastructure to unlock value, and the role of the RTN in accelerating essential grid projects

Speaker Speakers

Rob Wilson,

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Peta Ashworth

Director, Curtin Institute for Energy Transition (CIET)
Curtin University

Professor Peta Ashworth OAM is a renowned expert in energy, communication, stakeholder engagement, and technology assessment. She has researched public attitudes towards climate and energy technologies, including wind, carbon capture and storage (CCS), solar photovoltaic, storage, geothermal and hydrogen, for almost two decades. An accomplished speaker and educator, she actively promotes energy literacy globally and contributes to policy briefings and educational events.

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). She was also Chair of the Queensland Hydrogen Taskforce and is a member of CSIRO Hydrogen Mission Advisory Board. Professor Ashworth brings over thirty years’ experience working in a range of senior management, consulting and research roles.

Speaking at

13:55

Panel discussion: What should WA adopt, adapt or avoid for the next phase of growth?

Speaker Speakers

Peta Ashworth,

Jordan Prainito,

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Jordan Prainito

Co-Founder & Managing Director
Auzvolt

Jordan Prainito is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Auzvolt, a Western Australian developer of grid-scale battery energy storage. Since founding the company in Perth in 2022, he has focused on advancing large-scale storage and firming infrastructure to support the reliability and decarbonisation of the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM). Jordan is an active member of the WEM Investment Certainty Review Working Group, where he contributes to the reform of the market's capacity and investment frameworks. He brings a background spanning executive management and technology-led businesses, having held CEO roles across Australia and Singapore - including with Robinsons Department Stores Online and Canningvale Australia - before turning to the energy transition. He is also an active member of the YPO community, holding diversity and inclusion leadership roles.

Speaking at

13:55

Panel discussion: What should WA adopt, adapt or avoid for the next phase of growth?

Speaker Speakers

Peta Ashworth,

Jordan Prainito,

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Gary Bryant

Executive General Manager Power
APA Group

Gary has 35+ years of experience in the utility-scale coal and gas-fired power generation industry. Gary leads Power Development at APA and has experience spanning university research and development, power development, construction, engineering management, operations, asset management, and environmental oversight. Gary leads the team that is responsible for power projects at APA nationally and is responsible for development and stakeholder management for those power projects to FID. Gary has received several national and international awards for the energy projects he has led and was recognised as the WA Energy Professional of the Year in 2019.

Gary is a chartered engineer and is registered on the national engineering register. He has played a key role in developing and delivering over $2 billion of power generation and electrical infrastructure in Western Australia, including gas-fired generation, solar and wind generation, battery energy storage systems, and high-voltage transmission lines and substations for some of Australia’s largest companies. His current projects in the Pilbara include the Burrup and Hammersley transmission corridors, the Newman Renewable Energy Hub and the Chichester Renewable Energy Hub.

Speaking at

14:35

Utility perspective: Lessons from across Western Australia in enabling industry and delivering a stable and secure energy transition

Speaker Speakers

Gary Bryant,

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Panel Discussion

16:15

Panel discussion: Unlocking the full capability of inverter-based resources in a rapidly changing SWIS

Speaker Speakers

Brad McIlroy,

Gary Bryant,

Martin Maticka,

Cameron Owens,

Jai Thomas,

Dev Tayal,

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Cameron Owens

Head of DER & Engineering
Synergy

Cameron Owens is a Chartered Engineer and energy industry leader with 15 years’ experience driving the integration of renewable energy, storage and distributed energy resources (DER) across Western Australia. He leads engineering and asset strategy teams delivering innovative solutions across the energy asset lifecycle, while helping shape the future of the South West Interconnected System (SWIS).

Cameron has spearheaded a nation-leading DER strategy spanning policy, technology innovation, customer solutions and new commercial opportunities, including securing Synergy’s first Virtual Power Plant (VPP) to provide market services.

Passionate about the energy transition, he focuses on unlocking the value of inverter-based resources to deliver a low-carbon, reliable and affordable energy future. His expertise bridges engineering, strategy and regulation, making him a key voice on the opportunities and challenges facing WA’s rapidly evolving electricity system.

Speaking at

15:35

Customer perspective: Accelerating distribution transformation through customer centricity

Speaker Speakers

Cameron Owens,

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Panel Discussion

16:15

Panel discussion: Unlocking the full capability of inverter-based resources in a rapidly changing SWIS

Speaker Speakers

Brad McIlroy,

Gary Bryant,

Martin Maticka,

Cameron Owens,

Jai Thomas,

Dev Tayal,

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Jai Thomas

Deputy Director General - Coordinator of Energy, Energy Policy WA
WA Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED)

Jai Thomas is the Deputy Director General – Coordinator of Energy and leads Energy Policy WA, a group within the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification. As Coordinator of Energy, Jai is the Senior Official responsible for the energy policy and regulatory arrangements in Western Australia, as well as providing advice to the Minister for Energy on energy policy and energy transition.

As Coordinator of Energy, he is also the designated Hazard Management Agency for disruption to electricity, natural gas or liquid fuel supplies in Western Australia.

Jai is an energy sector professional with expertise in electricity regulation and distributed energy projects, and has held regulatory and project delivery roles at both Horizon Power and Western Power.

Speaking at

15:55

Market perspective: Strengthening market operability by sharpening storage signals and system incentives

Speaker Speakers

Jai Thomas,

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Panel Discussion

16:15

Panel discussion: Unlocking the full capability of inverter-based resources in a rapidly changing SWIS

Speaker Speakers

Brad McIlroy,

Gary Bryant,

Martin Maticka,

Cameron Owens,

Jai Thomas,

Dev Tayal,

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Martin Maticka

Group Manager, WA Operations
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)

Martin Maticka is an electricity market design expert, specialising in research on market pricing models and predictive energy market indicators. Currently, as Group Manager for WA Market Development at the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), he helps shape the future of Western Australia's energy markets. Prior to AEMO, Martin has over a decade of experience in electricity markets at organisations like the Independent Market Operator (IMO), Western Power, and Integral Energy. Mr Maticka is a member of the Market Advisory Committee and Gas Advisory Board in Western Australia and has helped establish technology startups in resource exploration, futures trading, and predictive risk management. He is a non-executive director for an agricultural startup focusing on biodiversity and land restoration techniques. In addition to being a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), Martin has been awarded Master's Degrees in Energy Economics (Curtin) and Computing Science (UTS) and holds a B.Sc (NE).

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

16:15

Panel discussion: Unlocking the full capability of inverter-based resources in a rapidly changing SWIS

Speaker Speakers

Brad McIlroy,

Gary Bryant,

Martin Maticka,

Cameron Owens,

Jai Thomas,

Dev Tayal,

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Dev Tayal

Policy & Business Development
Tesla

Dr Dev Tayal MPhil, PhD, brings deep experience across energy policy, battery storage, sustainable energy systems and market reform, with a career spanning industry, government, academia and international development. At Tesla, he works across critical battery minerals, supply chain strategy and policy advocacy in Australia, and has contributed to accelerating the integration of battery storage across the Asia-Pacific region.

Before joining Tesla, Dev held senior energy policy and strategy roles with Horizon Power, the Western Australian Government and the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, where he advised on low-carbon energy initiatives and energy market reform. He has also worked with the United Nations Development Programme, Ausgrid and renewable energy organisations supporting off-grid electrification and smart grid innovation.

Dev holds a PhD in Sustainable Energy Systems from Curtin University, an MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge, and degrees in electrical engineering and commerce from The University of Western Australia.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

16:15

Panel discussion: Unlocking the full capability of inverter-based resources in a rapidly changing SWIS

Speaker Speakers

Brad McIlroy,

Gary Bryant,

Martin Maticka,

Cameron Owens,

Jai Thomas,

Dev Tayal,

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Bill Farren-Price

Head of Gas Research
Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

Bill Farren-Price is Head of the Gas Research Programme and a Senior Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. Until early 2023, he was the director of macro oil and gas intelligence at Enverus, a leading US oil and gas data analytics firm. Bill has reported and researched the global energy industry and markets for more than 30 years, for the past 19 years in research and advisory. Before joining Enverus, he founded and managed consultancy Petroleum Policy Intelligence, which was acquired by Enverus in 2018. From 2007-10, he led oil research at Medley Global Advisors. He was an energy journalist from 1993 to 2007, including as editor of the Middle East Economic Survey (MEES) in Cyprus.

Speaking at

09:00

Navigating global gas volatility to strengthen WA’s LNG and domestic market position

Speaker Speakers

Bill Farren-Price,

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16:30

Panel discussion: What should be the strategic role and limits of gas in Western Australia’s transition?

Speaker Speakers

Gareth Wright,

Patrick Peake,

Oliver Nunn,

Bill Farren-Price,

Rachael Smith,

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Senior representative

Fortescue

Speaking at

09:25

Scaling green energy in the Pilbara: turning decarbonisation into operational advantage

Speaker Speakers

Senior representative,

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Krystal Skinner

Chief Executive Officer
Horizon Power

Krystal Skinner is the 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.

Speaking at

09:50

Regional WA’s energy transition: reliable, flexible and sustainable

Speaker Speakers

Krystal Skinner,

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11:00

Panel discussion: Finding innovative, localised solutions to planning, markets and reliability in regional communities

Speaker Speakers

Matt McKee,

Krystal Skinner,

Laurent Trost,

Gair Landsborough,

Jop van Hattum,

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Laurent Trost

Chief Operations Officer
Yara

Laurent Trost is Yara’s Chief Operating Officer, where he oversees operations involving ammonia, nitric acid, ammonium nitrate solution, and technical ammonium nitrate at one of Australia's key production sites. With over 25 years of experience in the fertiliser and chemical production industry, Laurent has a proven track record in plant management, leadership, and safety.

Prior to his current role, Laurent served as Plant Manager at Yara Cartagena in Colombia, managing 300 employees and 700 permanent contractors. His leadership extended to complex production processes, including ammonia, nitric acid, and NPK granulation. Before that, he held plant management positions at Yara Montoir de Bretagne in France and Yara Rio Grande in Brazil, where he oversaw large teams and production units.

Laurent's expertise spans across various fertiliser production processes, including ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, and NPKs. His early career included roles in engineering, project management, and commissioning of granulation units, where he successfully led large-scale projects and plant start-ups.

With a focus on continuous development, strategic vision, and sustainability, Laurent is dedicated to driving operational excellence and safety in the fertiliser production industry. His broad international experience makes him a pivotal leader in Yara’s global operations.

Speaking at

10:00

Proving off-grid intermittent renewable hydrogen production while demonstrating grid-independent operation with battery storage

Speaker Speakers

Laurent Trost,

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11:00

Panel discussion: Finding innovative, localised solutions to planning, markets and reliability in regional communities

Speaker Speakers

Matt McKee,

Krystal Skinner,

Laurent Trost,

Gair Landsborough,

Jop van Hattum,

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Gair Landsborough

Acting Chief Executive Officer
Western Power

Gair joined Western Power in December 1993 as a cadet engineer before moving through the graduate program. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical), Bachelor of Commerce (Management) and Master of Applied Finance from the University of Western Australia.

Gair’s technical roles in the company include stints in network planning, maintenance strategy and investigations, while his financial expertise in strategic financial modelling was showcased working closely with Government stakeholders to implement electricity market reforms.

Since 2006, he has held senior management roles in operations, program and project management, contracts and finance.

Gair brings his wealth of Western Power knowledge to the Executive team, most recently as Executive Manager Asset Management.

Speaking at

10:10

Working with regional communities on improving network resilience

Speaker Speakers

Gair Landsborough,

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11:00

Panel discussion: Finding innovative, localised solutions to planning, markets and reliability in regional communities

Speaker Speakers

Matt McKee,

Krystal Skinner,

Laurent Trost,

Gair Landsborough,

Jop van Hattum,

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Jop van Hattum

Chief Executive Officer
Gingerah Energy

Jop van Hattum (MSc MBA MComLaw FEI FAIE FIEAust CPEng EngExec GAICD) is the Chief Executive Officer of Gingerah Energy, developer of Project Meridien; a proposed gigawatt-scale, grid-independent renewable energy and hyperscale AI infrastructure precinct in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

Project Meridien integrates utility-scale solar and wind generation, long-duration storage and firming gas to deliver reliable, industrial-grade power for AI training and inference data centres. The project aims to position Western Australia as a sovereign AI energy hub serving domestic and Indo-Pacific demand.

Gingerah Energy is a partnership between the Karajarri People, Fugro and Longreach Capital Investment, embedding Indigenous participation alongside disciplined capital structuring and phased multi-gigawatt expansion.

Jop brings over 25 years of global experience in energy and infrastructure development, spanning engineering, commercial structuring, capital formation and governance. He is President of the Energy Club WA and a Fellow, Engineering Executive and Chartered Professional Engineer of Engineers Australia as well as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Energy and the Energy Institute.

Speaking at

10:20

Project Meridien: electrons, molecules and photons — a third pathway for regional energy

Speaker Speakers

Jop van Hattum,

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11:00

Panel discussion: Finding innovative, localised solutions to planning, markets and reliability in regional communities

Speaker Speakers

Matt McKee,

Krystal Skinner,

Laurent Trost,

Gair Landsborough,

Jop van Hattum,

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Matt McKee

Chief Researcher
Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE)

Matt brings over two decades of experience in energy, technology, and manufacturing, with a track record of turning bold ideas into impactful outcomes. He has led national and global teams across startups, scale-ups, and major corporations - driving innovation in cleantech and operational strategy. Matt was the COO and Chief Digital Officer for RedEarth Energy Storage and supported many early-stage companies in the energy sector. He holds an MBA from IMD and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

Speaking at

11:00

Panel discussion: Finding innovative, localised solutions to planning, markets and reliability in regional communities

Speaker Speakers

Matt McKee,

Krystal Skinner,

Laurent Trost,

Gair Landsborough,

Jop van Hattum,

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Chandra Sundareswaran

Director, Centre for Learning Enterprise & Partnership Engagement
Curtin University

Chandra Sundareswaran is the Director of the Centre for Learning Enterprise and Partnerships at Curtin University, where he leads short-form learning, workforce development and tertiary education harmonisation, and strategic partnerships in learning and teaching.

With a master's degree in engineering, Chandra brings technical depth and entrepreneurial energy to his work at the intersection of government, industry, and higher education. His experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives across large jurisdictions has given him a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities in driving innovation at scale.

Beyond his role at Curtin, he contributes to his broader community through Board and Advisory roles with Impact Seed, Geraldton University Centre, IDEA Academy, and All Saints College.

Speaking at

11:40

Panel discussion: Leveraging AI, automation and digital delivery to strengthen workforce capacity

Speaker Speakers

Chandra Sundareswaran,

Jo Christie,

Jennie Milne,

Brent Gimpel,

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Jo Christie

Executive Manager People
Western Power

Jo joined Western Power in July 2023 as the Executive Manager of People, responsible for creating a strong, safe and diverse workforce leading our Human Resources, Safety, Property & Fleet, and Training functions.

Jo’s extensive Executive experience spans more than 10 years in a diverse range of industries including aged care, fast moving consumer goods and hospitality. Prior to this, Jo worked for 20 years in the Human Resources sector.

Jo is a confident, articulate and respected communicator who builds productive relationships with key stakeholders at all organisational levels throughout the employee lifecycle.

She is passionate about transforming organisations, creating an inclusive, respectful and compassionate culture that makes it safe for people to innovate and be their best self at work every day.

Jo holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Psychology from Murdoch University and a Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Development from Curtin University.

Speaking at

11:40

Panel discussion: Leveraging AI, automation and digital delivery to strengthen workforce capacity

Speaker Speakers

Chandra Sundareswaran,

Jo Christie,

Jennie Milne,

Brent Gimpel,

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Jennie Milne

Executive General Manager People, Safety and Governance
Horizon Power

Jennie Milne is a senior leader with more than 20 years’ experience driving organisational performance through people, culture and business transformation. Having held leadership roles across the energy, defence and services sectors, she is recognised for building high-performing teams, developing leadership capability and transforming HR functions into strategic business partners that deliver measurable commercial outcomes. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Jennie has a proven track record of creating engaged workplaces that enable both people and organisations to thrive.

Speaking at

11:40

Panel discussion: Leveraging AI, automation and digital delivery to strengthen workforce capacity

Speaker Speakers

Chandra Sundareswaran,

Jo Christie,

Jennie Milne,

Brent Gimpel,

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Brent Gimpel

Head of Technology
ElectraNet

Brent leads technology at ElectraNet, one of Australia's essential energy transmission businesses, with accountability across strategy, delivery, operations, cyber, risk, data, AI, and governance. His career spans energy, utilities, government and professional services in Australia and the United States, including senior roles with Scyne Advisory, PwC and NextEra Energy, where he has advised executives and boards on technology-enabled change, risk, governance and benefits realisation. Across those roles Brent has designed, built, and led the technology and data solutions behind major transformations, working from the strategic problem back to the delivered outcome. He brings a pragmatic, builder's mindset to how technology, data and strong delivery disciplines can support the energy sector's transition and improve organisational performance.

Speaking at

11:40

Panel discussion: Leveraging AI, automation and digital delivery to strengthen workforce capacity

Speaker Speakers

Chandra Sundareswaran,

Jo Christie,

Jennie Milne,

Brent Gimpel,

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Masoud Abshar

Managing Director
Magellan Power

Masoud Abshar is a highly experienced power electronics engineer and business leader with more than three decades of expertise in designing and delivering high-reliability power and energy storage systems for critical industries across Australia. As founder of Magellan Power, he has played a central role in advancing Australian manufacturing capability in clean energy technologies, with a focus on power resilience, battery storage, and circular economy solutions. Under his leadership, the business has built a strong reputation for engineering excellence, product longevity, and customer trust, while contributing to local jobs, sovereign capability, and innovation in Australia’s energy transition.

Speaking at

13:20

Capturing more downstream energy value to turn WA’s strategic advantage into investment, jobs and green industry leadership

Speaker Speakers

Masoud Abshar,

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Oliver Nunn

Managing Director
Endgame Analytics

Oliver has extensive experience building mathematical models that represent economic dispatch and long-term investment in electricity markets. He has built models that capture complex aspects of power system and market operation, such as decisions to start and stop plant, game-theoretic bidding, and decision making in the presence of uncertainty about the future.

In addition, Oliver has experience as a regulatory economist and expert in market design. He has extensive experience working as an advisor to the market bodies that oversee the energy sector, the participants that operate in the markets, and the network businesses that own the transmission and distribution assets that are part of the physical power system.

Prior to establishing Endgame, Oliver led the quantitative team at the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC). Prior to this, he worked as a mathematical and economic consultant in the energy sector.

Oliver holds a first-class honours degree in pure mathematics, as well as a commerce degree with majors in economics and finance, both from the University of New South Wales.

Speaking at

13:45

Building an energy system that supports WA’s future competitiveness

Speaker Speakers

Oliver Nunn,

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16:30

Panel discussion: What should be the strategic role and limits of gas in Western Australia’s transition?

Speaker Speakers

Gareth Wright,

Patrick Peake,

Oliver Nunn,

Bill Farren-Price,

Rachael Smith,

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Troy Eaton

Co-Chair
Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation

Troy Eaton is the co-Chair of Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation and a proud Nyamal man from the Pilbara with close connections to Traditional Owner groups across the region. He brings extensive mining and leadership experience, primarily gained in the Pilbara with Rio Tinto and other companies, and has spent much of his career supervising, managing and supporting Indigenous and non-Indigenous teams. Troy is strongly committed to helping others on their journey and to advancing the interests of Nyamal people through the Corporation’s work representing their native title rights and broader interests across government, industry and community.

Speaking at

14:10

Q&A: Shifting from consultation to co-ownership to expand First Nations participation in energy projects

Speaker Speakers

Troy Eaton,

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Ed Coper

Chief Executive Officer
Populares

Ed has been behind the scenes of many of the last decade's most prominent social movements. Ed has advised multiple Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, political and business leaders, and social impact movements. He has built impact campaigns for business leaders from Richard Branson to Paul Polman, and for social icons from Malala to Shakira. Ed founded the New York-based Center for Impact Communications and has raised over $150m USD for UN agencies. His work has featured in several museum exhibitions.

Speaking at

14:35

Strengthening social licence by building energy literacy and countering misinformation in our communities

Speaker Speakers

Ed Coper,

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Rachael Smith

Executive General Manager, Commercial and Growth
Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG)

Rachael has been with AGIG since August 2012 and is currently responsible for the commercial management of AGIG’s transmission, hydrogen and storage assets, national contracts and procurement team and AGIG’s corporate development. She has over 20 years commercial and operations experience in the Western Australian Energy Markets with various commercial roles in the up, mid and downstream gas industry as well as wholesale electricity experience. Rachael has worked in energy roles within the BHP assets (Petroleum and Iron Ore), ERM’s Newgen Kwinana and Neerabup Power assets as well the largest WA gas retailer and independent power producer Alinta. She has a Bachelor of Business (Economics and Operations Management).

Speaking at

15:00

Gas enablement: moving supply and pipeline capacity from outlook to execution

Speaker Speakers

Rachael Smith,

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16:30

Panel discussion: What should be the strategic role and limits of gas in Western Australia’s transition?

Speaker Speakers

Gareth Wright,

Patrick Peake,

Oliver Nunn,

Bill Farren-Price,

Rachael Smith,

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Kirsten Rose

Executive General Manager WA and Strategy
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)

As AEMO’s Executive General Manager, Western Australia, Kirsten Rose leads system operations and transformation for WA’s South West Interconnected System and Wholesale Electricity Market. She is responsible for delivering a secure and reliable energy system and plays a central role in enabling WA’s energy transition.

Prior to joining AEMO, Kirsten held the position of Deputy Chief Executive at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency. Before stepping into the Deputy CEO role, she led a major portfolio of world-class CSIRO science as Executive Director, Future Industries. Prior to CSIRO, she held a global role at BHP as Head of Innovation, Sustainable Operations.

She is passionate about unlocking the power of innovation, new technologies, and people to solve the complex challenges of the energy transition.

With a career spanning over 30 years in the US, UK and Australia, Kirsten is a respected leader in the energy, resources, technology and innovation sectors. She serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Pilbara Ports Board, is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and is an active member of Chief Executive Women (CEW).

Speaking at

16:05

Planning the transition points: keeping the SWIS secure as renewables scale

Speaker Speakers

Kirsten Rose,

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Gareth Wright

Head of Climate Strategy and Engagement
Woodside Energy

Gareth Wright is Head of Climate Strategy and Engagement at Woodside Energy in Perth, Western Australia, where he leads the company’s approach to climate strategy, external engagement and disclosures. He advises executive leadership and the board on climate-related risks, opportunities and regulatory developments across energy transition. Over a 21-year career with Woodside, Mr Wright has held technical, strategic and leadership roles across the value chain. He has also led global industry initiatives through the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP). He also chairs the Asia Natural Gas and Energy Association (ANGEA)’s Carbon Intensity and Methane Working Group, supporting industry collaboration on practical emissions reduction pathways.

Speaking at

16:30

Panel discussion: What should be the strategic role and limits of gas in Western Australia’s transition?

Speaker Speakers

Gareth Wright,

Patrick Peake,

Oliver Nunn,

Bill Farren-Price,

Rachael Smith,

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Patrick Peake

Senior Manager WA EMR
AGL | Perth Energy

Patrick worked for some years with the integrated Western Power before being seconded to the Electricity Reform Task Force. Here he assisted in development of the original Wholesale Electricity Market. He then moved to the Independent Market Operator where he oversaw the implementation and running of the reserve capacity mechanism.

In 2008 Patrick joined Perth Energy to oversee construction and operation of the Kwinana Swift and Merredin Power Stations. He has held several key roles since then and his current focus is on regulation. He is a member of the Government-Industry Market Advisory Committee and several Working Groups.

Speaking at

16:30

Panel discussion: What should be the strategic role and limits of gas in Western Australia’s transition?

Speaker Speakers

Gareth Wright,

Patrick Peake,

Oliver Nunn,

Bill Farren-Price,

Rachael Smith,

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Maureen Boyle

Senior Research Fellow, Curtin Institute of Energy Transition
Curtin University

Dr Maureen Boyle has over 15 years interdisciplinary experience in the energy and development sectors nationally and internationally, with extensive experience collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders across Australia’s energy sector. Her career includes roles in government policy (state and federal), the renewable energy industry, and the not-for-profit sector.

Prior to joining Curtin University, Maureen was a Research Fellow with the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program at the Australian National University, and with the University of Tasmania (Perth based). In the latter role, she served as the main social researcher on Project Symphony, a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) pilot in Western Australia, investigating household participation in the VPP.

Maureen completed her doctorate at Curtin University in 2021, which investigated the influence of transnational actors on energy development in Cambodia. Her research draws on academic training in sustainable development and international relations and is underpinned by a commitment to distributive and procedural fairness with applied, policy relevant outcomes.

Speaking at

Masterclass

Introductory Masterclass: Western Australia energy industry boot camp

Speaker Speakers

Maureen Boyle,

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Quest has an established history of providing reliable, high quality conferences. Energy in Western Australia Conference 2026 is an opportunity for our thousands of past delegates and new attendees to come together in one place to Meet. Learn. Grow.

Tashi Gazzard

Sponsorship & Exhibition Manager Quest Events

tashig@questevents.com.au
M +61 (0) 478 884 713

Milad Etemadi

Sponsorship & Exhibition Manager Quest Events

milade@questevents.com.au
M +61 (0) 478 195 857

Quest Events recognises the First Peoples of this nation and their ongoing connection to culture and country. We acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Owners, Custodians and Lore Keepers of the world's oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.