2025 nominees for the Board of Directors 

Australia is at an inflection point. For a decade, the transition narrative centred on grid-scale supply. The next decade will be won, or lost, on the demand side. Consumer energy resources and flexibility will determine whether we achieve a least-cost, socially durable transition.

That is why Jess Morris, Chief Customer & Strategy Officer at SA Power Networks, should join the CEC Board: she brings the missing centre of gravity - customer reality - into the heart of strategy, policy and market design.

Jess leads the integration of strategy, innovation and customer experience at Australia’s most advanced distribution system operator. Under her leadership, SA Power Networks is not only pioneering demand-side orchestration at system scale but also transforming its entire customer experience model to ensure the transition remains just, inclusive, and responsive to evolving expectations.

Through a five-year, $55 million Customer Experience Transformation program, Jess is embedding customer-centricity deep within the organisation - building the capabilities, systems and culture needed to deliver consistent, efficient and equitable service as energy becomes more digital and decentralised. A cornerstone of this transformation is developing a single view of customer data, enabling personalised, proactive and streamlined engagement that meets modern expectations and supports electrification at scale.

Her leadership is also influencing national discussions on whether regulatory models sufficiently reward what customers truly value - and how clearer, more targeted incentives can drive better service outcomes across the sector.

Crucially, these initiatives complement and amplify the demand-side orchestration Jess oversees:

- Flexible Exports: A standard connection offer allowing export limits to vary dynamically up to 10 kW per phase, maximising customer value while protecting grid security. Uptake has been overwhelmingly positive (~90% choosing flexibility), proving that simple, transparent offers can build trust at scale.

- Interoperability at Scale (CSIP-AUS): SA Power Networks co-developed the Standards Australia Handbook (SA HB 218) to enable consistent communication between inverters, HEMS, and aggregators - laying the groundwork for market-ready flexibility and innovation.

- From Pilots to Platforms: Through Energy Masters, automated flexibility across EVs, hot water and batteries is being rewarded, and new local flexibility marketplaces are emerging - unlocking new revenue streams for CEC members while deferring network investment.

This blend of strategic innovation and deep customer transformation is exactly what the CEC needs as it executes its 2030 strategy to "accelerate Australia’s transition to a clean energy future." Jess’s track record shows how to make customer participation a core system asset, not an afterthought, while safeguarding social licence and affordability.

As national policy and market frameworks increasingly emphasise distributed energy integration, Jess’s experience in turning data, flexibility and trust into operational and regulatory outcomes positions her to help the Board translate emerging reforms into clear priorities and practical standards.

Why this matters to CEC members:

- Lower system costs, faster connections: Orchestrated CER and customer-led flexibility reduce curtailment, defer capex, and accelerate new asset value realisation.

- Bigger markets for products and services: Interoperability and data frameworks expand commercial opportunities for batteries, EVs, and VPPs.

- Community trust and equity: Jess’s portfolio champions simplicity, transparency, and inclusion - ensuring all customer segments, including renters and social housing, benefit from the transition.

Finally, her nomination strengthens the CEC’s representation of distributed energy members. The DELF has urged the Board to give DER and customer experience equal strategic weight; appointing a leader who has delivered both at state scale answers that call.

In short: Jess will help the CEC steer the transition where it now counts most - on the customer side of the meter - ensuring that systems are stable, members prosper, and Australians both afford and believe in the clean energy future.

I was an electrical engineer in China, and became an licensed electrician through 4-yrs apprentice training after immigrating to New Zealand at 2012. I have my own electrical business in Australia from 2016 till now. I have been working on electrical, photovoltaic solar and battery system projects from residential to commercial. I love to do more to accelerate Australia’s transition to a clean energy future.

China's Dominance in Battery Production, Six of the world's top ten lithium-ion battery manufacturers are based in China, Market share over 75% of total global renewable energy production capacity.

I inspect now the photovoltaic solar and battery system projects as an electrical inspector.

I have been continuously engaged with the Clean Energy Council (CEC) since its inception but not previously as a member of the board. Over the years, I have observed its growth from relatively modest beginnings to becoming the peak body representing over a thousand members across a broad spectrum of roles within the clean energy industry. The CEC plays a critical role in uniting the sector and advocating effectively on behalf of its members.

As the industry faces a period of unprecedented change and opportunity, it is more important than ever that the CEC maintains and strengthens its leadership with government, industry stakeholders, and the broader community. Our collective success in delivering Australia's clean energy future will depend in no small part on the Council's ability to provide strong, credible, and strategic guidance.

I am nominating for a position on the CEC Board to contribute to the Council's governance, direction, and priorities during this pivotal period. I bring a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the sector, developed through years of practical experience and ongoing engagement across policy, regulatory, and technical domains.

The scale and urgency of the renewable energy transition are evident in the Government's 2035 emissions reduction target. Achieving this target will require a significant acceleration in the deployment of clean energy technologies, alongside sustained investment in infrastructure, innovation, and workforce capability. At the same time, we must ensure that the transition delivers reliable, affordable, and sustainable outcomes for all energy users and our communities.

The CEC plays a vital role in navigating this complex landscape—facilitating collaboration, shaping policy, and upholding industry standards. I believe I can bring valuable insight and a practical, solutions-focused perspective to the Board as it steers the Council's strategy during this critical phase of growth.

I am committed to helping the Clean Energy Council remain a strong, effective, and trusted voice for the industry, representing the full breadth of its membership and ensuring the long-term success of Australia's clean energy transformation.

Dear Directors,

I write in support of my application to join the Clean Energy Council Board. My interest is driven by my desire to improve outcomes for Australian industry and communities in the energy transition, ensuring the journey is not a story of winners and losers, but one of balance and equity. 

I have worked across the energy value chain, from generation to networks and retailers, in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. I have seen first-hand how policy, investment and public trust can intersect on a global scale. At Ausgrid, my focus has been on turning that intersection into momentum - demonstrating how an existing network can evolve to enable the shift to clean, affordable power without compromising reliability.

It is my belief that the Council’s greatest strength is its ability to bring industry together behind practical reforms - clearer market signals, faster approvals, and stronger investment certainty - unlocking better overall outcomes for the sector. These are not abstract policy goals, they are the levers that determine whether projects are built on time, and whether communities support them. That’s where I believe I can contribute. I have spent much of my career translating ambition into deliverable outcomes - working with governments, regulators, customers and investors to make the economics of renewables, storage and electrification stack up.

At Ausgrid we’re implementing an array of community-focussed initiatives: pole-mounted EV chargers, community batteries and a renewable energy zone in the New South Wales Hunter-Central Coast. Each is a test case for how industry can turn consumer energy into system strength and better customer outcomes – reducing emissions and stabilising the grid while putting downward pressure on household bills.  

I recognise that delivering the energy transition is as much about our people, the men and women on the ground, as it is about infrastructure. The Council’s leadership on workforce capability, safety and inclusion is critical. At Ausgrid we’ve expanded apprenticeships and graduate programs to address skills gaps and ensure local communities are part of the transition, not just observers to it. I would welcome the chance to support and strengthen that work as a director.

Finally, I share the Council’s common-sense approach to policy design. Australia’s pathway to a clean-energy future will rely on renewables, firmed with storage, leveraging our existing infrastructure in novel ways to support the transition away from fossil fuels. The private sector will only invest at scale if it sees coherent, long-term policy leadership and predictable regulatory settings. Those are areas where I can bring both commercial and operational insight, working collaboratively with colleagues and partners - including developers driving major national projects - to ensure the system works as a whole.

If elected, my aim would be to complement the existing board by offering a network operator’s perspective. A perspective grounded in delivery, community engagement and financial discipline, but always with an eye on the bigger picture: a goal to ensure the transition delivers not just megawatts, but real value for the Australian clean-energy industry and the communities we serve.

Yours sincerely,

Marc England

Chief Executive Officer

The energy transition provides tremendous opportunities for the clean energy sector; however, these opportunities cannot be taken for granted.  Pragmatic and experienced leadership is required if we are to capture this generational opportunity for our industry, our economy and our people.

With this in mind, I am honoured to be nominated for a position on the Board of the Clean Energy Council. With over two decades of experience in the energy sector, including my current role as Principal Technical Consultant in Power & New Energy, I bring a deep understanding of the technical, commercial, and strategic dimensions of Australia’s clean energy transition. I am passionate about accelerating the deployment of renewable energy and storage technologies, and I believe my experience and perspective can make a meaningful contribution to the Council’s leadership and impact.

Throughout my career, I have worked across a broad spectrum of energy projects, from utility-scale renewables and grid integration to emerging technologies and policy advisory. My work has consistently focused on solving complex challenges at the intersection of engineering, market design, and regulatory frameworks. I have led multidisciplinary teams, advised government and industry stakeholders, and contributed to the development of innovative solutions that support decarbonisation, reliability, and affordability.

I believe I can contribute to the Board in the following key areas:

1.Technical and Strategic Insight: My background enables me to provide informed perspectives on the technical feasibility and strategic implications of clean energy initiatives. I understand the practical realities of project development, grid integration, and technology deployment, and I can help ensure that the Council’s advocacy is grounded in real-world experience.

2.Industry Collaboration and Leadership: I have a strong track record of fostering collaboration across industry, government, and community stakeholders. I understand the importance of building consensus and trust to drive systemic change, and I am committed to supporting the Council’s role as a unifying voice for the sector.

3.Policy and Market Development: I have contributed to policy submissions, regulatory reviews, and market reform initiatives, particularly in areas such as energy storage, transmission planning, and renewable integration. I am well-positioned to support the Council’s engagement with policymakers and regulators to shape a more flexible, resilient, and decarbonised energy system.

4.Commitment to Sustainability and Equity: I am deeply committed to ensuring that the clean energy transition delivers benefits for all Australians. This includes supporting regional development, First Nations engagement, workforce transition, and equitable access to clean energy. I believe the Council has a vital role to play in promoting inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

5.Governance and Stewardship: I bring a thoughtful and principled approach to governance, with a strong appreciation for the responsibilities of Board members in setting strategic direction, overseeing performance, and upholding the values of the organisation. I am committed to acting with integrity, transparency, and accountability.

As a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a long-standing contributor to the energy sector, I am excited about the opportunity to support the Clean Energy Council’s mission. I believe my experience, values, and collaborative leadership style align strongly with the Council’s goals, and I would be honoured to serve on the Board to help shape a cleaner, smarter, and more equitable energy future for Australia.

Philip Graham has been involved in the energy industry for over 30 years and brings 5 areas of expertise to the Board:

1) Banking and Finance Experience: Philip has been responsible for advising companies operating in the power and energy space for many years completing major M&A assignments as well as funding some of the largest power stations, gas pipelines and renewable assets in the market.  Since founding CleanPeak Energy, Philip has raised over $1 billion to allow the company to grow from a start-up to a significant participant in the market.  He has a keen sense of what the banking and funds management market needs to support new projects and initiatives in the sector.

2) Exposure to Grid Connection Headwinds: Since starting CleanPeak Philip has navigated through connection of 6 in front of the meter solar/BESS projects, over 50 Behind the Meter solar / Bess projects as well as managing major connection infrastructure across micro-grides at Barangaroo, SACL, Tonsley and Central Park Precincts.  This allows real time experience in addressing the significant issues the industry faces with respect to connection.

3) Understanding the Procurement process: Philip has been responsible for procuring several hundreds of millions dollars in panels, BESS and Inverter assets.  All of which have been negotiated with a focus on eliminating modern slavery risks from the supply chain and managing the warranty and long term maintenance issues associated with the technology.  CEC members face similar issues, and the industry must address modern slavery concerns as users are increasingly focused on the procurement decisions.

4) Retention of Talent: The electricity industry is competing for talent with construction, data centre and other infrastructure sectors.  Philip has been involved with many initiatives at CleanPeak to reduce turnover, increase the number of women in senior roles and ensure equality of pay is rolled out across the business.  He is focused on ensuring the CEC progresses programs to enhance the employee satisfaction in the industry.

5) Regulatory Framework: The Power sector is a complex market from a regulatory perspective.  Philip has worked in Australia, United States and across Asia over many years gaining an appreciation of the differing regulator models and can bring a unique perspective on charges underway or expected within the Australian market. Philip considers regulatory issues from a banker’s perspective as well as an industry perspective and will assist developing policy response in this context.

Australia's clean-energy transformation is entering a critical stage, where the success of large-scale renewables depends on operational excellence, investor confidence, and skilled workforce development. With over two decades of experience in power generation, operations, and governance, I believe I can bring to the Clean Energy Council (CEC) Board a strong combination of technical expertise, governance capability, and industry leadership focused on long-term sustainability and collaboration.

As the Founder and Managing Director of Photon Renewable Services (PRS), I lead an Australian-owned company providing operations, maintenance, and engineering services for utility-scale solar and battery assets. Through this role, I maintain close engagement with day-to-day challenges in grid integration, asset reliability, and compliance issues that are central to the CEC's policy and industry-development agenda.

Previously, I served as Head of Operations & Maintenance at Gentari Solar Australia (formerly Wirsol), managing a national portfolio of 750 MW of solar and 25 MW/50 MWh of battery assets. I built and led a multidisciplinary team responsible for performance engineering, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Earlier, with RCR Tomlinson, I established its solar O&M business and managed nearly 1 GW of assets across Australia, launching one of the nation’s first Remote Operations Centres for renewables. These experiences have provided deep insight into the technical, contractual, and commercial frameworks underpinning Australia's clean-energy fleet.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management. I am a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng), Fellow of Engineers Australia, Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, and a Chartered Governance Professional (CGP) with the Chartered Governance Institute (UK). I also served as a Director and Chair of the Governance and Operations Subcommittee at Zero Emissions Noosa, strengthening community-energy governance and compliance frameworks.

If elected to the CEC Board, my contributions would focus on five key priorities:

1. Governance and Accountability - Advocate for high standards of governance, contract integrity, and risk management across the renewable value chain to strengthen investor and public confidence in the sector.
2. Operational Excellence and Workforce Capability - Champion the professionalisation of O&M and field services through standardised competency frameworks, accredited training, and collaboration with TAFEs, universities, and industry bodies.
3. Technical Standards and Safety - Contribute practical insights to the refinement of standards governing high-voltage systems, inverter safety, vegetation management, and repowering projects to ensure assets operate safely and reliably.
4. SME and Regional Representation - Ensure the perspectives of Australian-owned SMEs and regional service providers are included in national policy discussions, promoting equitable participation and local innovation.
5. Innovation and Collaboration - Support initiatives that enhance performance and reduce lifecycle costs such as predictive maintenance, remote diagnostics, and shared-inventory models aligning with Australia's decarbonisation and cost-reduction goals.

My leadership philosophy centres on evidence-based decision-making, transparency, and collaboration. Having managed large, multicultural technical teams and negotiated complex commercial arrangements, I understand the importance of balancing operational realities with strategic governance and stakeholder expectations.

I see the Clean Energy Council as the anchor institution shaping the integrity, capability, and future direction of Australia's renewable-energy industry. As both an engineer and governance professional, I am committed to strengthening that mission — ensuring our sector not only scales rapidly but does so with reliability, accountability, and lasting community benefit.

I would be honoured to contribute my experience, insight, and dedication to the CEC Board to help advance Australia's clean-energy future.

•Proven leadership in energy policy and advocacy, underpinned by deep sector expertise across the public affairs, policy, regulatory, government and stakeholder landscape.

•Trusted industry voice offering an Executive Leadership perspective from within one of Australia’s leading energy companies that’s actively contributing to Australia’s decarbonisation journey.

•Extensive reform experience across regulatory and climate change frameworks, including leadership roles at the ESB and AEMC with a proven track record driving change across the sector.

I’m honoured to nominate myself for the Clean Energy Council Board. With close to two decades of experience in energy policy, regulatory reform, market design, and stakeholder engagement, I bring a deep understanding of the sector’s challenges and opportunities, and a strong commitment to shaping a cleaner and more resilient energy future for Australia. 

Throughout my career, I’ve worked extensively across regulatory, governance and climate change frameworks, leading complex economic and regulatory reform programs – demonstrating my ability to lead change across the sector. I also bring strong public sector expertise, having led major reform programs at the Energy Security Board (ESB) and the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC). These roles have sharpened my ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders, navigate complex governance environments, and to advocate for and deliver reform that is both technically sound and publicly supported. I’m also a current member of the AEMC’s Reliability Panel, where I contribute to safeguarding the reliability of Australia’s electricity system, while advocating for consumer interests. 

As the Executive General Manager of Corporate Affairs at AGL, reporting to the CEO, I lead the organisation’s policy and regulatory advocacy, strategic communications, social licence and government and stakeholder engagement areas. In this role I work to align industry perspectives, policies and regulatory frameworks to Australia’s decarbonisation goals, and am committed to ensuring the energy transition is inclusive. 

I’m also proud to play a leading role in supporting AGL’s transition to a cleaner energy future, which includes an ambition to add 12 GW of new renewable and firming capacity by the end of 2035 and the recent release of our second Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP). Our CTAP represents a major milestone in our journey to decarbonise responsibly, accelerate the transition of our energy portfolio, and support our people, customers and communities through the energy transition. Central to our strategy is the expansion of decentralised assets under orchestration, investment in electrification technologies, and driving innovation in customer solutions – giving me firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the industry as we scale up renewable energy deployment.

If elected to the CEC Board, I’m confident in my ability to work constructively with members to drive transformation across the sector, with a focus on consumer energy resources (CER), electrification and the changing role of customers. This includes driving greater adoption of CER, improving affordability and access, and ensuring that regulatory and market frameworks are fit for purpose. I believe that the insights and perspectives from an executive working within one Australia’s leading energy companies will be important to driving this transition forward.  

Above all, I’m passionate about ensuring that the energy transition delivers for all Australians – not only through emissions reductions, but also by improving affordability, reliability and inclusion. If elected, I would be honoured to contribute to the CEC Board’s work of unifying industry to advance a renewable energy future that is ambitious, customer-focused and grounded in collaboration.