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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
Ross Rolfe AO
Chair and CEO, Iberdrola
Ross is Chair and CEO of Iberdrola Australia, formerly Infigen Energy. Ross has decades of experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors in executive management, government, and strategic roles. In 2008, Ross was appointed CEO of Alinta Energy during this time he completed a capital restructuring of the business and stepped down 2011. Ross was CEO of Stanwell Corporation (2001-2005) – a pioneer of the Australian renewable energy industry. He also served as the Chair of CS Energy (2012-2015). Ross was Director-General of Queensland Government Departments, including: Premier & Cabinet, State Development, and Environment & Heritage, as well as Coordinator-General.
Brett Wickham
Managing Director, Acciona Energia
As Managing Director of one of Australia’s largest renewable energy builders, owners and operators with 20+ years of sector-specific experience delivering over 2GW of large-scale projects, Brett understands the challenges the industry faces. He serves on the Board of the European Australian Business Council and is a Member of the AICD. As Managing Director, Brett Chairs ACCIONA Energia’s Investment and Governance committees and is responsible for more than 200 staff members nationwide. Before entering the industry, Brett served for 20 years as an Engineering Officer in the Royal Australian Navy.
Angela Catt
Executive General Manager, Government and Sustainability, Tilt Renewables
Angela is a highly experienced corporate and government executive with more than 20 years' experience across national and global markets in the energy and recycling industries. Prior to joining Tilt Renewables, Angela was the Global Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer of Sims Lifecycle Services. Previous roles include Executive Director Energy Delivery and JSSC of NSW Government, General Manager Commercial for AGL’s New Energy business as well as other senior leadership roles at AGL Energy across wholesale trading, strategy and retail. Angela has a Bachelor of Science from UNSW, is a Chartered Accountant and an Australian Institute of Company Directors Graduate.
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.
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.
Robert Wheals
Chief Executive Officer, Squadron Energy
Rob is a highly regarded business leader with more than 25 years’ executive experience across the energy infrastructure and telecommunications sectors in Australia and internationally. As Squadron Energy CEO, he heads up Australia’s leading renewable energy developer, owner and operator and sits on the Squadron Energy board. Prior to joining Squadron, he was CEO and Managing Director of top 50 ASX-listed energy infrastructure business APA Group, acquiring more than three years’ ASX-listed Director experience, as well as sitting on subsidiary and industry Boards Rob is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Commerce.
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.
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.
18 Dec 2024
Analysis of Frontier Economics' report on the economics of nuclear power in the NEM
Our review shows that the modelling is based on a number of flaws and unrealistic assumptions. Of concern, the modelling forms the basis of the Coalition’s nuclear plan, which indicates substantial slow-down in renewable energy deployment.
13 Dec 2024
Coalition nuclear plan a disaster for power bills, rooftop solar and renewable energy investment
The Coalition’s nuclear plan released today is a disaster for Australian households and their power bills, prioritising high-cost and inflexible nuclear power along with a dramatic slowdown in the installation of renewable energy including rooftop solar, according to the Clean Energy Council.
12 Dec 2024
Best Practice Charter - reports
A set of commitments that signatories agree to uphold in the development of current and new clean energy projects.
09 Dec 2024
Latest CSIRO report clears the air: Renewables are lowest cost
The Clean Energy Council welcomes the release of the latest GenCost report by the CSIRO, which reaffirms the fact that renewables firmed by storage and transmission remain the lowest cost pathway to replace our aging coal generators.
05 Dec 2024
Policy change creates offshore wind investment uncertainty
As coal exits the energy system over coming years, investment in a suite of renewable energy technologies such as offshore wind, will be critical to deliver the lowest-cost energy system for consumers. Offshore wind also provides a substantial opportunity to create new jobs and economic opportunities for regional communities such as the Hunter over coming decades.
04 Dec 2024
Kane Thornton, Chief Executive - opening remarks to House Select Committee on Nuclear Energy
Opening remarks by Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane Thornton, to the House Select Committee on Nuclear Energy, in Melbourne (4 December 2024).