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overview
Informa Australia is delighted to announce the 6th Annual Australian Renewable Energy Zones Conference, which will be held on the 20-21 May 2026 at the Swissotel Sydney.
The transformation of Australia’s electricity system & the accelerating growth of renewable energy across Australia is unprecedented. With significant investments and development of renewable energy generation and technologies we have the potential to become a renewable energy superpower.
Building on the past 5 events this year’s event is perfectly timed to bring together and engage key stakeholders to discuss the latest developments and initiatives in the Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) across Australia.
Our key topics Include:
- Progress on the REZ Rollout: Transforming Australia’s electricity system
- Policy, Regulation: State and Local initiatives
- Investment & Financing: Opportunities, risks and what can be done about project cost rises & blow outs?
- The Impact of Undersized REZs: Avoiding investment & project constraints
- Transmission Congestion and Curtailment: Challenges and solutions
- Batteries and Storage in REZs: Enhancing stability, reliability, and security
- Urban Renewable Zones: Creating self-sufficient energy hubs in cities
- Empowering First Nations Communities: Delivering genuine value and inclusion
- Developer Updates: Insights on operational assets and upcoming projects
- Strategic Offset Delivery Agreements: Financial benefits for landholders and communities
- Innovative Benefit-Sharing Models: Ensuring equitable outcomes
- Building Capacity and Skills: Creating jobs for regional communities
- Development Considerations for Worker Accommodation: Supporting towns and integrating into communities
- Innovative Solutions for Project Success: Pioneering the future of energy
- Transparency, Collaboration, and Alliances: Key drivers for progress
2026 Speakers
Mark Westbrook
Chief Project Officer, EnergyCo
Adele McCarthy
Executive Director Strategy & Planning, VicGrid
Geoff Petersen
Partner, Gilbert + Tobin
Renene Windsor
Industry Director, Transmission & Distribution, Aurecon
Jeff Drayton
Mayor, Muswellbrook Shire Council
Martin Russell
Director, Environment & Planning, Aurecon
Paul Peters
CEO, Energy Security Corporation
Stephanie Bashir
Stephanie Bashir, Principal & Founder, Nexa Advisory
Jacqui Fetchet
Special Counsel, EnergyCo
Joshua Baker
Director, Capella Capital
Victoria Mollard
Executive General Manager, Australian Energy Market Commission
Claudia Hodge
Project Manager- Community Development, Community Power Agency
Jacqui Fenwick
Policy and Regulation Expert, Baringa
Matt Moncrieff
National First Nations Engagement Manager, ACCIONA Energia
Tom McMahon
Partner, Mandala Partners
Anthea Middleton
Chief Executive Officer, Powering Skills Organisation
Jess Kite
Head of Community and Regional Development, Squadron Energy
Shai Richardson
First Nations Officer, Ausgrid
Jessica Brown
Director Strategy Partnerships and Engagement, Dubbo Regional Council
Chester Li
Regulatory Affairs Manager, Potentia Energy
Dr Scott Dwyer
Associate Professor and Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF), University of Technology Sydney
Riza Tolentino
Strategic Planning and Forecasting Manager, Endeavour Energy
Doug Thomson
Head of Strategic Network Planning & Development, Transgrid
Vivian Hamilton
Offsets Program Manager, Transgrid
Thomas Gao
Senior Manager, Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer
Emma Fishburn
Senior Managing Director, Energy Advisory, FTI Consulting
Joanna Stevens
Managing Director, Premier Strategy
Dr Louisa Mamouney
Executive Director, Conservation Planning and Offsets, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Scott Franks
CEO, Yarrawalk Pty Ltd / Wonnarua Traditional Owner
Amy Kean
Partner, Stride Renewables
Aydin Kizilirmak
Head of Grid, Design and Approvals Potentia Energy
Andrew Murdoch
Chief Executive Officer, Arche Energy and BESS Auto
Hayley Rolfe
Technical Director – Sustainability Advisory, GHD
Daniel Sartor
Head of Major Projects | Transmission Development & Growth, Ausgrid
Steve Lewis
Project Director - Community Power Networks, Ausgrid
Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
This well-established industry conference, with a great line up of industry experts, is the key meeting place for your industry. Where policymakers, energy leaders, and developers will gather to shape Australia’s renewable energy future. This event is a great occasion to get together as an industry and share essential learnings and provides an opportunity to arrange meetings, and network with your industry colleagues both current and new.
Be at the forefront of your industry. Showcase your thought leadership, demonstrate your technology or show this industry your company’s services on offer.
To see what opportunities are available please contact:
Megan Rogulski
Sponsorship Manager
E: [email protected]
T: +61 (0)2 9080 4334
Event Highlights
Attendee testimonials
Good overview of the state of play, with good range of speakers / relevant issues from policy level through to implementation experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The conference was excellent and covered a great range of topics. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I found it incredibly informative around where business, government and communities are at around all aspects to do with renewable energy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The conference was highly informative for the state of all REZs in the NEM and having all states presenting in one place gave a good indication of the different approaches and reliance that was quite insightful. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very topical and relevant to my colleagues and clients. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Event Code Of Conduct
We want everyone who comes to our events to have a great experience. This code explains our expectations and rules, which includes general good practice behaviour, and how to report anything witnessed or experienced that goes against them. Read our Event Code of Conduct here.
Sustainability
Our Commitment to Sustainability
In Australia, we are committed to running our events in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Across Informa Connect we are focusing on the short and long-term sustainability impacts we have on customers and colleagues alongside the communities we work in.
We recognise that it’s not just about the way we produce our events and products but recognising that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve.
To read more on our latest sustainability reports and Faster Forward initiatives – click here.
when & where
20 - 21 May 2026
Swissotel Sydney
68 Market St,
Sydney NSW 2000
(02) 9238 8888
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION RATE
Secure your accommodation at the Swissotel Sydney with a 12% discount* off the best available flexible room only rate at the time of booking.
To book this rate, please click here and follow the below instructions.
To load/see the rates available please enter the codes as per below:
- Click on the Book Now link above and scroll to ‘Our accommodation’
- Enter your booking dates
- Click on the drop down for “Special rates”
- Enter the code SCP2108566 in “Business client with contract”
- Enter the code IN435AU828 in “Access code”
- Click on “See rates”
* Rooms and rates are subject to availability at the time of booking, we suggest booking early to avoid disappointment.
Alternatively, please contact the hotel reservations team directly on 02 9238 8888 between 9am–5pm Monday to Friday or email [email protected]
contact
Still have a question?
General Information & Registration
Customer Service
+61 2 9080 4307
[email protected]
Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
Megan Rogulski
Sponsorship Manager
+61 2 9080 4334
[email protected]
Speaking Enquiries
Alexandra Bennet
Conference Manager
+61 2 9080 4315
[email protected]
Marketing & Media Enquiries
Paul O’Connor
Marketing Manager
[email protected]