The 2023 Regulation Seminar – New Horizons, Regulation and the Energy Transition, brings together international experts and stakeholders across Energy Networks Australia’s member companies, including regulatory and market authorities, consumer advocates and investor voices.

The annual seminar will be held on Wednesday 2 August 2023 at the State Library of Queensland in Brisbane.

The Seminar will provide an opportunity to gain new perspectives, network with others from the sector, and work towards a shared understanding of the current and future challenges facing regulated networks through the energy transition.

The State Library of Queensland

The Seminar will take place in the State Library of Queensland’s auditorium with networking drinks held on the Queensland terrace overlooking the Brisbane River.

The who’s who of energy

Our key speakers for the event are Akshay Kaul and Clare Savage.

Akshay Kaul is the Director General of Infrastructure and Security of Supply at Ofgem in the United Kingdom. He will deliver the keynote address on British energy regulation in the wake of Ukraine and the gas price shock.

In his current role, Akshay is focused on winter preparedness, and all of Ofgem’s regulatory work across network regulation; wholesale markets, security of supply and cybersecurity. Previously, he was the Director responsible for the economic regulation of Great Britain’s energy networks. This involved the development of the next generation of onshore network price controls called RIIO2, the regulation of offshore transmission infrastructure and the delivery of an ambitious cross-border interconnection programme through the cap and floor regime.

Delivering the Keynote Regulator’s Address: Regulation the transition to net zero is Clare Savage. Clare is the Chair of the Australian Energy Regulator and is a member of the Energy Security Board.

Over the last 18 years, Clare has acquired significant leadership experience in the Australian energy industry. She has a passion for the energy sector and a commitment to its development, particularly through the current transition.

Also addressing the Seminar is three experts from the Australian energy sector. Sally McMahon, Gavin Dufty and Ray Neill.

Sally McMahon is a Commissioner at the Australian Energy Market Commission. Sally is also an economist with over 25 years of 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 across Australia and Canada. Sally will deliver her address, Networks supporting the future energy system.

Gavin Dufty is a familiar face as a consumer representative in the energy sector and is the Executive Manager, Policy and Research at St Vincent de Paul. He has undertaken research into electricity disconnections, changes in energy pricing, proposed rule changes and been involved in the development of state and federal energy consumer protection and concession frameworks. Gavin will speak at the Seminar on Reflections on regulation and network engagement in context of rapid consumer investment in energy resources.

Ray Neill is the Managing Director of Infrastructure, Brookfield Asset Management and is responsible for leading business development and transaction execution across Australia’s utilities, transport and energy sectors. Ray will deliver his address Investing in Australia’s Energy Transition – challenges and opportunities.

Following the speaker sessions, Lucy Moon, Head of Regulation at Energy Networks Australia, will lead an expert panel discussion Navigating to the horizon: how do we future-proof regulation to ensure we deliver the type of energy transition customers want?

The panel will include Akshay Kaul, Director General, Infrastructure and Security of Supply, Ofgem; Gavin Dufty, Executive Manager, Policy and Research, St Vincent de Paul; Danielle Beinart, Executive General Manager, Networks and Technical, Australian Energy Market Commission; Aidan Stringfellow, Head of International Affairs and Gas Crisis Response Policy, Ofgem and Brian Spak, Director of Energy System Transition, Energy Consumers Australia.

Following the end of the Seminar, guests will be treated to some light refreshments on the Queensland Terrace, enabling everyone to network and share their insights from the day.

You can register to attend the 2023 Energy Networks Regulation Seminar here.