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SUPPORTING QUEENS­LAND'S ENERGY NEEDS

Stanwell is a Queensland Government Owned Corporation delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to Queensland and the National Electricity Market.

We have a long proud history of owning, maintaining, and operating some of the most reliable energy generation and storage assets in the National Electricity Market. We continue to invest in the assets we have today, while we partner with the private sector to build the energy portfolio Queensland requires for the future.

We ensure electricity is available when it is needed, maintaining system stability and supporting affordability across the market. Our role requires us to carefully balance system needs, market conditions and long-term outcomes, focusing on financially responsible decisions for Queensland.

Energising Queensland's prosperity

Our purpose is to energise Queensland's prosperity by delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity that supports the State's economy, industries and communities.

As a Queensland Government Owned Corporation, we take a disciplined and practical approach to balancing the needs of today with the longer-term needs of Queensland.

Who we are

Stanwell was established as a corporation in 1997 and has continued to evolve in response to changes in the energy system and market conditions.

Our people are smart, dedicated, innovative and resourceful. We work together to anticipate and respond to change, and we hold ourselves to exceptional standards of excellence.

We operate as a commercial business with a clear mandate, guided by defined objectives, a regularly reviewed corporate strategy and robust governance frameworks.

OUR STRATEGY

Our Strategy builds on what we do well today, while creating the flexibility we’ll need to adapt to future market conditions. Stanwell’s strategy delivers on the Queensland Energy Roadmap.

Reliable energy for today

We are focused on maintaining our coal-fired power stations, as reflected in our Electricity Maintenance Guarantee targets, as well as other assets that become part of our portfolio over time. Ensuring a reliable source of energy, delivered safely, is a core part of what we do at Stanwell.

Explore our generation assets

The energy portfolio Queensland needs for the future

We are developing a balanced and flexible energy portfolio to meet the short, medium and long-term needs of Queensland.

We partner with the private sector on new energy generation, storage and firming technologies.

Our approach is measured and practical, ensuring investments align with market needs and deliver long-term value.

Explore our energy projects

Outcomes for our people and communities

We support our people and work closely with communities to deliver long-term social and economic outcomes.

This includes strong regional engagement, support for local industries and ensuring our activities contribute to the communities in which we operate.

Explore our work with communities

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Michael O'Rourke   LLB, BCom, GDip AppFin, GDip CSA Chief Executive Officer

“In everything we do, we strive to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for Queensland”

As Chief Executive Officer, Michael leads the Stanwell team in leveraging its existing energy portfolio to provide reliable energy for today whilst we work with the private sector to develop the energy solutions Queensland will need in the future.

Michael brings a deep understanding of the energy industry, complemented by a strong focus on both safety and commercial outcomes. During his time at Stanwell, he has held several executive positions, including Chief Financial Officer. Prior to this, he served as Executive General Managers across Trading, Strategy and Corporate Services functions, as well as General Counsel and Company Secretary.

Michael’s broad experience ensures Stanwell is well positioned to meet both current and emerging challenges in the energy industry.

Appointed: 2021 Joined Stanwell: 1998 LinkedIn

Michael O’Rourke headshot

Catherine Cook BBus (ProfAcc), MCommLaw, CA, GAICD Chief Financial Officer

"We are striking the right balance to support our assets today while helping shape the energy system we will need for the future."

As Chief Financial Officer, Catherine leads the corporate finance function for Stanwell. This includes group finance, tax, and treasury; procurement and supply; quantitative risk and analytics; insurance; financial planning and analysis; growth and operations finance business partnering and enterprise services.

Catherine’s role includes partnering with the business to develop and execute strategic business outcomes, ensure strong financial and commercial acumen, governance and adapting our systems and processes to support a complex and evolving energy market. Prior to Stanwell, Catherine was Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Thiess, a global mining services provider. She holds a Bachelor of Business (Professional Accounting), Masters of Commercial Law and is a Chartered Accountant.

Appointed: 2022 Joined Stanwell: 2022 LinkedIn

Catherine Cook headshot

Sophie Naughton BA/LLB, GDipEd, GAICD Executive General Manager Business Services

As Executive General Manager, Business Services, Sophie leads Stanwell’s business services functions, including business strategy development, information technology and business systems, legal, people and culture, and community and stakeholder engagement.

Sophie brings deep experience across Stanwell’s commercial, corporate and energy market operations. Prior to this role, she was Executive General Manager, Energy Markets, where she led Stanwell’s trading and energy market activities, including Stanwell Energy Solutions retailing to commercial and industrial customers. Earlier, Sophie held senior leadership roles across business services and corporate strategy.

Appointed: 2026 Joined Stanwell: 2011 LinkedIn

Sophie Naughton headshot

James Oliver MBA, BE (Mech) Hons 1, MIEAust, CPEng, NER, RPEQ, IntPE (Aus), GAICD Chief Operating Officer

“Never settle for satisfactory success.”

James leads Stanwell’s operations, providing direction to the Operations Leadership Team and the broader business. He is accountable for asset strategy, operational performance, and risk management, ensuring the delivery of Stanwell’s short and long-term objectives.

A highly experienced senior executive, James has held a range of critical leadership roles across the organisation, including General Manager Operational Excellence, Site Manager - Stanwell Power Station, Production Manager and Engineering Manager.

Appointed: 2019 Joined Stanwell: 2003 LinkedIn

James Oliver headshot

Steve Quilter BEng (Mech), MBA Executive General Manager Energy Markets

As Executive General Manager, Energy Markets, Steve leads Stanwell’s trading and energy market activities, including energy market analytics and modelling, short-term and strategic market positioning, retail, and regulatory compliance and market policy strategy.

Steve has more than 30 years’ experience in the energy sector across Queensland and New South Wales. Prior to this role, he was Executive General Manager, Growth and Future Energy where he was responsible for the development and delivery of Stanwell’s diversified generation and energy storage portfolio. He has also previously held the position of Power Station Manager and General Manager of Stanwell’s gas and hydro portfolio.

Appointed: 2026 Joined Stanwell: 2012 LinkedIn

Steve Quilter headshot

Richard Jeffery BA, CGMA Executive General Manager Growth and Future Energy

“There’s never been a more exciting time to be shaping the future of energy.”

As Executive General Manager, Growth and Future Energy, Richard is accountable for the development, delivery and oversight of Stanwell’s gas, storage and renewable energy pipeline, supporting changes to our future portfolio in line with Stanwell’s strategy and the Queensland Energy Roadmap.

Richard is an experienced commercial manager and people leader with extensive experience across the energy, resources and heavy industry sectors. Prior to this role, he was Executive General Manager, Strategic Partnerships, where he worked across the business to develop and communicate Stanwell’s commercial and sustainability strategies and foster key partnerships to support their delivery.

Appointed: 2026 Joined Stanwell: 2007 LinkedIn

Richard Jeffery headshot

A REPUTATION BUILT ON RELIABILITY

Our power stations are managed for performance, efficiency and reliability, underpinned by four decades of operational excellence.

Our twelve-month moving average reliability factor exceeds 98 per cent across our portfolio, helping to ensure Queensland’s electricity supply remains secure and stable.

Explore our Energy Assets to learn more about how our generation portfolio supports the grid and powers Queensland.

ELECTRICITY MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE

Stanwell successfully achieved all FY25 KPI targets across personal safety, process safety, operational performance and capital investment.

EMG performance table media stack

GENERATION TRADING

Stanwell sells around 70% of the electricity we generate directly to our commercial and industrial customers. The remainder is traded through the wholesale National Electricity Market (NEM). This strictly regulated market operates on a five-minute dispatch cycle, enabling Stanwell to meet energy demand across the eastern seaboard through a centrally coordinated process.

More insights on the total electricity market from AEMO
Energy trading in offie image

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