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The Clean Energy Council is the peak body for the clean energy industry in Australia.
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VISION AND MISSION
Our vision is for Australia to be powered by clean energy.
We work to accelerate Australia’s transition to a clean energy future, laying the foundations for Australia to become a clean energy superpower.
We are committed to accelerating the transformation of Australia’s energy system to one that is smarter and cleaner. We lead and support the growth of clean energy in Australia by:
- Providing a strong voice for our members
- Standing up for and promoting the clean energy industry
- Developing and driving effective policy and advocacy
- Working with industry to continually improve standards and maintain integrity
- Working closely with local, state and federal governments to remove roadblocks and increase demand for clean energy products
- Providing services and initiatives to members and the wider industry that help grow the sector
39.4%
of Australia's energy generation came from renewable sources in 2023.
5.9GW
of renewable capacity (large- and small-scale combined) was added to the grid in 2023.
3.7m
Approximately 3.7 million Australian households have rooftop solar PV systems installed.
GOVERNANCE
Meet our board
The Clean Energy Council is governed by a board of 10 directors.
Our members help shape the direction of the Council by voting for directors in our Annual General Meetings, dependent on their level of membership. You can get involved by becoming a member.
our board
Chair
Peter Cowling
Head of Australia, Mint Renewables
With more than 20 years’ experience and responsibility for more than 5 GW of renewables projects, Peter brings a wealth of industry experience as well as past experience on the board of the Clean Energy Council.
Alex Moran
Senior Manager, Partner & Commercial Services, Ausgrid
Alex is an engineering leader with 20 years’ experience in utilities and a passion for delivering innovative ideas, with the aim of transforming Australia’s energy landscape for a cleaner and smarter future.
Danny Nielsen
Country CEO AU/NZ, Vestas
A wind energy pioneer, adept in both strategy and execution. Extensive experience shaping the renewable industry across Asia Pacific. Intuitive talent for foreseeing trends, forecasting market behaviours, and leading cutting edge of innovation. Danny has led extensive organisation transformations across his career and has been key in the delivery of significant large-scale projects across the globe.
Dennis Freedman
Managing Director ANZ, Aquila Clean Energy APAC
Dennis brings more than 15 years of Australian energy experience to the board, across renewable generation and electricity transmission. Aquila Clean Energy APAC has a pipeline of over 3GW in wind, solar, BESS and Solar - BESS hybrids across Australia and New Zealand.
Karen Gould
Managing Director, Palisade
Karen is committed to renewables advocacy with a diverse career in the industry spanning 17 years. She has extensive governance experience and is a non-executive director on five boards, including the Clean Energy Council.
Lillian Patterson
Director of Renewables, WSP
Lillian is a recognised industry leader and trusted advisor. At WSP she leads a national team providing engineering consulting services across large-scale solar, BESS, onshore wind and offshore wind.
Philip Cullum
Principal, Consumer-wise Consulting
Philip is an experienced director, regulator and consumer advocate. He set up Consumer-wise Consulting, working on strategy, policy, engagement and governance.
Steven Oswald
Chief Commercial Officer, RES Australia
Steven is a senior executive with over 25 years’ experience in the development, construction, and operation of renewable projects. Steven is passionate about workplace health and safety, community engagement, and workplace diversity and inclusion.
Warwick Johnston
Managing Director, Sunwiz
Warwick is the managing director of SunWiz, a consultancy that helps Australia’s solar industry improve their competitiveness. Warwick is a fierce advocate for the role of solar energy in Australia’s energy supply.
LEADERSHIP
Meet our Executive Leadership Team
Our Executive Leadership Team is responsible for managing the delivery of our strategic plan by inspiring, supporting and collaborating with colleagues and other stakeholders.
Leadership
CEO
Kane Thornton
Chief Executive
Australia is taking big steps in the global leap towards a clean energy future. We're here to support our members leading that charge.
Arron Wood AM
Chief Policy and Impact Officer
What a privilege it is to lead our team of policy thought leaders and change agents and help drive Australia's renewable energy transition.
Ashleigh Dalmau
Chief Operating Officer
I'm so proud to be leading this team of change-makers, combining my commitment to customer-focused solutions and operational efficiency with my passion for spearheading the clean energy transition.
Mike Duffy
Chief of Campaigns
In the words of Sir David Attenborough, 'Saving our planet is now a communications challenge.' I'm passionate about bringing my media experience to lead my skilled team in tackling this challenge.
POLICY AND ADVOCACY
Meet our Directors
The majority of our policy work is developed alongside our members in directorates, with smaller working groups and committees tackling specific challenges.
You can find a list of all our current committees on 'Advocacy'; members can log into their portal to read more and join.
Dr Anita Talberg
Director, Workforce Development
Clean energy is key to Australia’s future, as are the people behind the technologies, so I’m thrilled to be championing the jobs of tomorrow.
Anna Freeman
Policy Director, Decarbonisation
“Australia has an immense opportunity to leverage its formidable renewable energy resources to deliver low-cost clean energy for Australians and the world, and usher in a new era of low-emissions economic development. We should grasp it with both hands.”
Christiaan Zuur
Director, Market, Investment and Grid
The transition to 100 per cent renewables is first and foremost a challenge of economics and engineering, which I'm excited to tackle with some of the best minds in the business and find a way forward.
Con Hristodoulidis
Director, Distributed Energy
Australians are installing rooftop solar at record levels. I'm excited to be driving policy outcomes that support accelerated uptake of small-scale renewable technologies by all Australians.
Morgan Rossiter
Director, Offshore Wind
It's an extraordinary moment for Australia's future, and I am excited to work with our members on unlocking this enormous opportunity for offshore wind in Australia.
Dr Nicholas Aberle
Director, Energy Generation and Storage
I am excited to be bringing my skills and experience to the CEC at this critical juncture as the industry prepares to make ever-bigger strides forward.
Tracey Stinson
Regional Director, Queensland
It's fantastic to be able to bring my experience and strong relationships with state organisations and government bodies to help deliver a renewable energy future for Queensland.
In the news
Latest news
Read the latest updates from the Clean Energy Council and across the industry.
20 Nov 2024
Australia's electricity emissions 30 per cent lower than 2015 due to renewables
A new report published today by the Clean Energy Council and Green Energy Markets shows that a surge in renewable energy investment since 2015 has reduced emissions by 30 per cent relative to if Australia had remained reliant on the 2015 fleet of power stations.
20 Nov 2024
House Select Committee on Nuclear Energy submission
The House Select Committee on Nuclear Energy is inquiring into the consideration of nuclear power generation, including deployment of small modular reactors, in Australia.
19 Nov 2024
Report: Emissions reductions delivered by renewable energy
Aggregate CO2 emissions reduction between 2015 and 2023 was more than 200 million tonnes as a result of renewable energy growth.
18 Nov 2024
Billions in the bush: Renewable energy for regional prosperity
Large-scale renewable energy projects are estimated to deliver $1 billion to farmers and $200 million to regional communities by 2030, according to our new report with Farmers for Climate Action.
18 Nov 2024
Billions in the bush: Energy shift delivers $1 billion to farmers and $200 million to regions
Farmers to receive $0.9 to $1.1 billion in landholder payments for hosting clean energy by 2030, a new report from Farmers for Climate Action and the Clean Energy Council reveals.
14 Nov 2024
Rooftop solar shines bright as Australia surpasses four million installations
Australia has cemented its status as a world leader in rooftop solar, surpassing a remarkable milestone of four million rooftop solar installations across the country and slashing Aussie energy bills.