Attending the recent Gippsland New Energy Conference energised team members Lisa Maro, Lynn Johnson and Colin Young and provided the opportunity to forge new connections, reconnect with stakeholders and to be inspired by the vision for renewable energy in the region.
Colin Young joined the panel session on the first day, to speak on the topic of Supplying the Industry – shop local. He was joined by fellow panellists Frank Albanese from Latrobe City Industry Alliance (LCIA), Katrina Langdon from Star of the South, Talia Zammataro (Vestas) and David Delamore, Head of Engineering & Supply Chain at BlueFloat Energy, where they discussed how local businesses can retool to supply new energy needs. The panel was faciliated by Glen McColl, Coordinator Business Development at Latrobe City Council.
Lisa Maro’s key highlights included hearing from Chris Miller the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the State Electricity Commission, as he presented on the outcomes of the recent SEC Energy, Jobs and Skills Forum. Chris spoke across the challenges and opportunities Victoria is facing to build the renewable energy workforce required to meet targets of 95% renewable energy by 2035 and net-zero by 2045.
Chris notes that Victoria needs to dramatically accelerate renewable energy construction to achieve its renewable targets. There will also be impacts to the Victorian workforce as nature of our energy market and the grid will change, and that inclusive employment, transitioning workers and international specialists will provide some of those opportunities. He also spoke to the need for partnerships and community engagement key to finding innovative solutions when reaching those targets.
Lisa also attended the AGL breakfast with CEO Dianne Smith, to hear updates on AGL’s work with Mainstream Renewable Power, Reventus Power and DIRECT Infrastructure. This consortium has applied for a feasibility licence for a 2.5 GW offshore wind project in the Gippsland Offshore Wind Zone, with the development phase including an AU$400 million investment package to support local workforce and supply chain development.
Connections were made and reinforced across the Conference, as Lisa, Colin and Lynn met with:
Sarah Harris, Manager Environment & Planning at Marinus Link,
Kate Foster Regional Stakeholder Manager, at Corio Generation
David Beavers Market Development Manager at AusNet
Rob Howes Operations Apprentice Manager at Orsted
Laura Macpherson CEO at Tafe Gippsland
Deb Neumann Planning Director with Blue Float
Christo Van Niekerk GM for AGL Loy Yang and
Talia Zammataro Senior Director Sales at Vestas
Learn more about how ICN Victoria is making an impact in the Renewable Energy Sector – click here
