The Energy Charter, Author at The Energy Charter

Energy Charter Disclosure 2024

Charting a Better Energy Future - EC Disclosure

Putting humans at the heart of the energy transition

Back in 2018, 15 forward-thinking CEOs from across the consumer and energy sectors came together with a bold vision: to deliver better outcomes for customers and communities through a systems-thinking approach. Their co-design work and commitment to five core Energy Charter Principles and a transparent accountability process marked a new era of building trust with those we serve.

Fast forward to today, and we’re proud to have grown to nearly 30 Signatories, working closely with over 80 customer and community representatives nationwide and growing.

By embracing systems thinking, we’ve strengthened our commitments with human-centered design, tackling challenges and seizing opportunities that no single organisation could address alone.

I’m proud to share the Energy Charter Disclosure 2024. Its purpose is two-fold: to provide an overview of the collective progress we have made over the past year across #BetterTogether initiatives and through our Accountability Process, and to inform where we focus our efforts in the future.

It’s clear we must stay the course with our #BetterTogether initiatives and Communities of Practice to address our two priority areas: energy transition and energy equity.

Sabiene Heindl
CEO
The Energy Charter

Energy Charter Disclosure 2024

Read our 2024 Disclosure to discover:

Our customers and communities we work closely with
Messages from our CEO Council Chair and CEO
Our collaboration highlights
Our 2024 timeline
An overview of #BetterTogether initiatives
Recalibration of our maturity

Celebrating our key achievements with Energy Charter CEOs

On 2 December 2024, we celebrated our collective achievements for customers and communities at our CEO Forum: Putting Humans at the Heart of the Energy Transition.

We were thrilled to hear from a panel of Energy Charter Signatory CEOs from across the nation to celebrate our collaboration highlights, including:

Sean Mc Goldrick, CEO Council Chair + CEO TasNetworks
Andrew Bills, CEO Council Deputy Chair + CEO SA Power Networks
David Smales, CEO AusNet Services
Mark Collette, MD EnergyAustralia
John Cleland, CEO Essential Energy
Stephanie Unwin, CEO Horizon Power
Sabiene Heindl, CEO Energy Charter

Our collaborative highlights

During the CEO Forum, our outgoing CEO Council Chair 2024, Seán Mc Goldrick, CEO TasNetworks proudly shared some key highlights that we have delivered for customers and communities during, including:

1 in 5 Australians saw our “Keep the Money. It’s Yours” Energy Concessions Awareness + Engagement Campaign
2 National campaigns for power outage planning in extreme weather for both Life Support Customers + all Australians
6+ Evidence-based resources on understanding transmission development and undergrounding co-developed in a Community Hub
8+ emPOWER Podcast episodes tailor-made for those driving the energy transition on the ground in regional Australia
10+ Renewable developers and transmission businesses signed up to the Wimmera Southern Mallee Collaboration Framework
18+ Innovative #BetterTogether initiatives delivering outcomes for customers and communities nationally
25+ Lived Experience Panel sessions across Life Support Customers, Community Resilience and Renewable Development Landholders
37+ Better practice social licence commitments implemented to do better in agricultural communities
50% Energy Charter Signatory growth nationally across the supply chain, including renewables
130+ Customer and Community Outcome Group voices shaping our #BetterTogether initiatives
150+ National Landholder and Community Engagement Training participants across 38 organisations
350+ Collaborators across 2 Communities of Practice: First Nations Better Practice Engagement and Social Licence: Building Trust

Seán Mc Goldrick
CEO Council Chair 2024
CEO TasNetworks

And last, but certainly not least, a massive thank you!

Thank you to our Independent Chairs and Administrator, End-User Consultative Group and Consumer + Community Outcome Group members together with the Energy Charter Signatories for your continued support and active participation.

By working #BetterTogether and leading the way, we can continue to put customers and communities at the centre of our business and the energy system. We can chart a better future for us all, together.

Accountability Disclosure

November 2024 News Update

In the November 2024 news update, you can register for the upcoming online event: Powering Through: What to know if you rely on medical equipment during a power outage in collaboration with the Consumer Health Forum for our #BetterTogether Life Support initiative. This will provide critical information to those who rely on life-saving equipment during power interruptions.

We are also proud to welcome the Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland (EWOQ) and Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) as Supporters of the Energy Charter.

Looking ahead, we invite you to join us at the Energy Charter CEO Council Forum: Putting Humans at the Heart of the Energy Transition on 2 December hosted by Cath Smith, Chair of our End-User Consultative Group. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from our CEOs about how we’re collaborating to ensure that customer and community outcomes are front and centre in everything we do.

CEO Council Chair

October 2024 News Update

In the October 2024 news update, we celebrate our CEO, Sabiene Heindl who has been announced the winner of the 2024 International Equality in Energy Transitions (EIET) Woman of Distinction Award!

We’re also thrilled to publish our Full Signatories annual Disclosures as part of our Accountability Process. Over the next few months, CEOs will meet with their customer, community and stakeholder groups to engage on their Disclosures. Together, they’ll be co-designing clear commitments to drive better outcomes and deliver real impact, reflected in a Feedback Summary.

We’re also excited to welcome our new Energy Charter Supporter: Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW. EWON’s support reflects the meaningful work we are doing to genuinely help customers and communities. We’re thrilled to have Janine Young and her team join us on this important journey!

CEO Council Chair

A wrap up of the National Landholder Engagement Training in Wagga Wagga

Discover what the 60+ land agents and community engagement professionals got up to at our 3rd National Landholder Engagement Training in September 2024, in Wagga Wagga NSW.

What did the training participants get up to?

On Monday, 2 September 2024, renewable developer and transmission engagement professionals arrived at the Transgrid Discovery Hub in Wagga Wagga for a day packed with insights, networking and celebrating!

The training kicked off with:

A deep dive into what social licence is, where we prioritised trust and established each other’s values before moving into the session
Learning about renewable energy development in NSW with Suzanne Westgate, General Manager of Land, Property + Approvals at Transgrid, including what Transgrid is doing to ensure genuine long-term partnerships with landholders and community benefits are delivered within the regions most impacted by transmission projects
Listening, learning and asking questions to the Landholder Insights Panels with:
- Justine Campbell, CEO Regional Development Australia Orana
- Charlie Prell, ex Chair Farmers for Climate Action
- Lee Kingma, Tumut landholder
- Joy Thomas, Chair Ag Energy Social Licence Roundtable
- Facilitated by our CEO, Sabiene Heindl
Drinks, canapes and networking, where Wendy Agar from Engaged Outcomes launched the emPOWER Podcast, a tailor-made for those driving the energy transition on the ground in regional Australia and proudly supported by the Energy Charter
Collaboratively creating an artwork to commemorate this training with First Nations artist Luke Penrith Arts and Designs.

emPOWER Podcast launch with Engaged Outcomes

Launching at the networking function, podcast host Wendy Agar from Engaged Outcomes introduced all the emPOWER Podcast: a podcast tailor-made for those driving the energy transition on the ground in regional Australia

We kicked off with a bang, with our inaugural guest none other than Andrew Dyer, former Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner!

Perfect for anyone committed to supporting and understanding our regional communities, this podcast is your go-to resource for effective, respectful engagement during this pivotal time. Stay connected, stay informed, and make a positive impact!

Communicating controversial projects with Risk Communications Specialist

We were thrilled to have Kelly Parkinson, Risk Communication Specialist, running targeted training at our National Landholder Engagement Training on Day 2. Kelly’s rich experience includes working internationally with the community on their concerns about a range of projects.

This theory and practice workshop included:

An introduction to outrage management and audiences
“See-saws” or what makes it counter intuitive
Role pay exercises using the “see-saws” theory
New messaging approach
Outrage factors presentation and exercices
From fight to fix and barriers

A night of celebrating + learning at the National Landholder Engagement Training Dinner

After an intensive day of risk communications practical training, participants were ready for something special, and what better way to wind down than by heading for the hills?

We indulged in a delightful paddock-to-plate dinner experience, fully immersing ourselves in the heart of this incredible regional community of Wagga Wagga. It was a perfect opportunity to connect with the locals and appreciate the beauty and bounty of the region.

A huge shoutout to Janine Young, Ombudsman at Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) and Rod Stowe, former Independent Community and Consumer Advocate at Transgrid, for sharing their wisdom and insights with us. Your guidance continues to inspire us to do better by landholders and communities in regional Australia as we navigate the energy transition.

Exploring renewable energy infrastructure in Wagga Wagga

The final day of the National Landholder Engagement Training was a sea of high-vis! On Day 3, our 60+ renewable energy engagement enthusiasts wrapped up our training with a full-day adventure, exploring some of the most significant renewable energy infrastructure in the Wagga Wagga region.

It was amazing to witness the spirit of collaboration in action. Seeing so much sharing between industry folk—from renewable energy to transmission and distribution—was truly inspiring.

Where did our land agents and community engagement pros visit?

Tetris Battery Storage Facility + Solar Farm: We kicked off the day by getting firsthand insights into this innovative project’s progress
Gregadoo Substation Works: Next stop, the Wagga 330kV Substation—where we got up close and personal with the heart of the region’s energy distribution
Landholder for Project EnergyConnect: We learned from a landholder and observed tower erection in action across three adjoining holdings as part of Project EnergyConnect. Truly a sight to behold!
Lockhart Camp: A quick visit to the temporary construction camp and laydown area gave us a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes logistics
Transmission Towers: We saw transmission towers at various stages of construction, each one a step closer to powering our future
Bomen Solar Farm: Our final stop brought us to this fully operational solar farm, where we met the host landholder and learned about the farm’s day-to-day operations.

This bus tour wasn’t just about seeing renewable energy in action—it was about connecting with the landholders who play such a critical role in these projects. Their insights are always invaluable as we strive to innovate and improve in this space.

Are you interested in joining future training?

Let us know below if you’d like to attend future National Landholder Engagement Training and be the first to hear about the upcoming dates and topics as well as receive the link to register before it goes out to the public! Email us at director@theenergycharter.com.au.

September 2024 News Update

National Landholder Engagement Training in Wagga Wagga

In the September 2024 news update, we’re excited to announce the launch of the emPOWER Podcast, tailor-made for those driving the energy transition on the ground in regional Australia. You can listen to the first episode with guest Andrew Dyer, former Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner about ‘Better Practice Community Engagement in the Energy Transition’.

The National Landholder Engagement Training also kicked-off on 2 September 2024 providing an incredible opportunity for those on the ground in regional communities across Australia to enhance their engagement, built on real life insights from landholders and land agents.

The #BetterTogether Life Support Customer proposed Rule Change has been submitted to the Australian Energy Market Commission. This work has been led by Esstential Energy and SA Power Networks.

CEO Council Chair

August 2024 News Update

In the August 2024 news update, we share major updates for the #BetterTogether Life Support Customers initiative regarding the proposed Rule Change submission. We also officially launch the #BetterTogether Community Energy Resilience initiative!

The Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC) released its 2023 Annual Report and we were thrilled to see the Energy Charter highlighted for its “collaborative leadership” and recognised for our better practice initiatives.

We also welcome our new Director, Renewable Energy, Martine Holberton!

CEO Council Chair

July 2024 News Update

In the July 2024 news update, we share the Melbourne Institute Report on the Energy Charter’s National Concessions Awareness and Engagement Campaign “Keep the Money. It’s Yours.” which showed that the message of energy concessions eligibility is getting out, however there’s more that can be done.

We are also pleased to share progress across a number of our social licence #BetterTogether initiatives including our 3rd National Landholder Engagement Training, the Better Practice Social Licence Guideline: 12-month Independent Review funded by Energy Consumer Australia, through RE-Alliance and progress on the Queensland Renewable Energy Code in response to the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commission Community Engagement Review continues at pace.

CEO Council Chair

June 2024 News Update

In the June 2024 news update, we warmly welcome our new Director, Energy Transition Heather Wagland! Heather joins the small but mighty team at the Energy Charter, bringing a passion for social impact and extensive experience in the energy sector.

We also celebrated being announced the winner of the Shared Value Project Innovation Award for our Knock to Stay Connected Customer Code.

We kicked off the first #BetterTogether Qld Renewable Energy Code workshop to begin the co-design process with senior leaders from across Industry Collaborators and the Community/Customer Outcomes Group, independently facilitated by a human-centred design expert.

You can now also register your interest for our 3rd National Landholder Engagement Training will be held on 2, 3 and 4 September and aims to support those engaging with landholders and communities on renewable energy development to do their job well and support better shared value outcomes.

Read more about these updates in our June News Update.

CEO Council Chair

May 2024 News Update

In the May 2024 news update, read more about our partnership with the Queensland Renewable Energy Council to bring renewable developers, agricultural, local government, conservation, First Nations and other community collaborators together to co-design the initial design of the Renewable Energy Code.

Last month, we also had the privilege of meeting the Lived Experience Panel for Life Support in the Home. A big thank you to Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) for supporting this important work.

The Energy Charter has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Shared Value Project Innovation Awards for the Knock to Stay Connected Customer Code, with winners announced on 9 May!

Our 2024 Accountability Guidance was published with guidance from our End-User Consultative Group.

Read more about these updates in our May News Update.

CEO Council Chair

April 2024 News Update

In the April 2024 news update, annual Disclosures were published by EnergyAustralia and SA Power Networks, our CEO Council met in Sydney with special guests Brendan French, CEO Energy Consumers Australia and Louise Pogmore, Energy Partner KPMG. Our conversations centred on collaboration opportunities for energy transition and cost-of-living supports.

We also launched the Energy Charter Impact Framework: an important step in the right direction to align our #BetterTogether initiatives with tangible impacts for those in our communities. Our Impact Framework brings to focus the “so what?” factor that needs to drive both our commitments and outcomes.

CEO Council Chair