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WE ARE PROUD QUEENS­LANDERS

Stanwell is a Government Owned Corporation (GOC) and we are proud to deliver an essential service of reliable affordable electricity supply to commercial and industrial businesses, and the people of Queensland and east-coast Australia.  

As a GOC we have a history of owning and managing a wide range of generation assets over the past few decades, including gas, pumped hydro and the very first wind farm constructed in Queensland. Currently we own and run two of the most efficient and reliable coal-fired power stations in Australia, backed by 30 and 40 years of operational excellence respectively.

Stanwell has gone through a few changes in its history (an overview below) and is guided by clear goals, a regularly reviewed business and sustainability strategy and robust governance. Overall, if you want to know ‘about us’ - we are a knowledgeable, hard-working and dedicated team who are excited about bringing you a bright future in energy.

STANWELL’S CURRENT ASSETS AND FUTURE ENERGY PROJECTS

ALL Assets Map

What we believe in

WE SEE OUR PURPOSE AS BEING THE SPARK FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE – A DECARBONISED FUTURE WHERE WE WORK AND LIVE WITH RELIABLE, FIRM CLEAN ENERGY.

"That bright future will be achieved by caring, adapting and delivering – and these are the values we live by. We are a leading energy provider and will continue to be a leader through the energy transition over the next decade."

CEO Michael O'Rourke

OUR STRATEGIC GOALS

We have four strategic goals that cover the work we will deliver between now and 2035. Our goals help us focus our efforts and resources on the things that matter most. We review our strategy annually with our leadership teams and the Board, to ensure it positions us strongly to respond to the changes that are happening around us.

Build a firmed renewables portfolio

Our aim is to provide 9-10 GW of renewable energy supported by 5 GW of firming capacity by 2035. We have set up our business to actively find and work with local and international partners to accelerate delivery.

Explore our energy projects here

Operate our current portfolio reliably and repurpose it for the future.

We will continue to invest in and maintain our coal-fired power stations so that they can continue to reliably generate electricity and provide critical system services. Over time we will repurpose these assets to clean energy hubs, which will provide the renewable energy, firming and system services required to support Queensland's energy system.

Read more about clean energy hubs here

Drive the development of Queensland’s hydrogen industry and the use of other new technologies.

The creation of a renewable hydrogen industry in Central Queensland will bolster the state's transition to a clean energy economy and create thousands of jobs. Our partnership in the proposed Central Queensland Hydrogen (CQ-H2) project is spearheading the development of this exciting industry in Queensland. We are also investigating, piloting and testing other new technologies to support the energy system of the future.

Read more about our hydrogen projects

Create future pathways for our people

While technology may seem to be the biggest transition, it cannot be realised without people. Stanwell is providing opportunities to train, reskill and transition energy workers into clean energy jobs. We are a signatory to the Queensland Energy Workers’ Charter and passionate about ensuring our people are equipped to realise the opportunities of this transformational period.

More on Stanwell's culture

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

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

“In everything we do, we want to be a visible bright spark to our communities and people.”

As Chief Executive Officer, Michael leads the Stanwell team to use its existing portfolio to play a key role in maintaining the security and stability of electricity supply, while transitioning to a cleaner energy future.

Having been closely involved in the planning and development of renewable and energy storage assets, Michael has a deep understanding of the energy industry, combined with a strong commercial and safety focus. He has held several executive roles in the business, including Chief Financial Officer, where he was responsible for overseeing the financial services, legal, procurement and insurance portfolios. Prior to this, Mr O’Rourke held Executive General Manager roles in the Trading, Strategy and Corporate Services functions, and as General Counsel.

Appointed: 2021 Joined Stanwell: 1998 LinkedIn

Portrait Image Michael O'Rourke

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

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 the transition to a cleaner energy future. 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 Certified Practicing Accountant.

Appointed: 2022 Joined Stanwell: 2022 LinkedIn

Portrait Image Catherine Cook

Sophie Naughton BA/LLB, GDipEd, GAICD Executive General Manager Energy Markets

“Apart from our own emissions intensity reductions, working with our customers on their sustainability journeys is really exciting now.”

Sophie leads Stanwell’s trading and market interfaces, Stanwell Energy Solutions to Commercial and Industrial customers, as well as analytics and modelling functions, and regulation strategy.

Prior to this role, Sophie was Stanwell’s Executive General Manager for Business Services. This included responsibility for Stanwell’s business strategy development, community and stakeholder engagement, information technology and business systems, human resources management, and organisational development.

Appointed: 2021 Joined Stanwell: 2011 LinkedIn

Profile Image Sophie Naughton

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

James oversees Stanwell’s operations and provides leadership and direction for both the Operations Leadership Team and the wider business. His responsibilities also include delivering asset strategies, policies, systems and operational risk management controls to achieve of Stanwell’s short and long-term business objectives.

An experienced senior business manager, prior to this role James held a number of operational positions throughout the business, including General Manager Operational Excellence, Stanwell Power Station Site Manager, Stanwell Power Station Production Manager and Stanwell Power Station Engineering Manager.

Appointed: 2019 Joined Stanwell: 2003 LinkedIn

Profile Image James Oliver

Steve Quilter BEng (Mech), MBA Executive General Manager Growth and Future Energy

“I’m passionate about innovation in the energy industry and the opportunities that the energy transition presents for our people, our customers and partners.”

Steve is accountable for the origination and oversight of the growth of Stanwell’s diversified renewable generation and energy storage portfolio and the development of Queensland’s premier renewable hydrogen export project. Prior to this role, he held the role of Executive General Manager Energy Trading and Commercial Strategy since 2016.

Steve has had a career spanning 30 years’ in the energy industry in both Queensland and New South Wales. He has worked in various operational roles including senior engineering and management positions and was seconded to the Queensland Department of Energy and Public Works to work on the development of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and Infrastructure Blueprint.

Appointed: 2021 Joined Stanwell: 2012 LinkedIn

Steve Quilter

Glenn Smith ADip Business Management  Executive General Manager Business Services

Glenn is responsible for Stanwell’s information and business systems, legal services, human resources management and organisational development.

Glenn is an experienced executive in human resources, employee relations and external affairs. His industry experience is broad, covering both publicly listed, private companies and the public sector across a range of industries in the resources, contracting, manufacturing, service and utilities sectors.

Appointed: 2021 Joined Stanwell: 2020 LinkedIn

Our Business - About Us - Block 8b - Profile Glenn Smith

Richard Jeffery BA, CGMA Executive General Manager Strategic Partnerships

“There’s never been a more exciting time to be in energy."

Richard leads Stanwell’s Strategic Partnerships division, which collaborates with the broader business to develop Stanwell’s commercial and sustainability strategies, develop and foster key partnerships to support delivery of those strategies, and ensure that those strategies are effectively communicated to our people, our owners and the communities in which we operate.

Richard is an experienced commercial manager and people leader, with significant experience across the energy, resources, and heavy industry sectors. Prior to this role, Mr Jeffery held leadership roles within Stanwell’s financial, commercial and future energy teams.

Appointed: 2023 Joined Stanwell: 2007 LinkedIn

Richard Jeffery

GENERATION TRADING

Stanwell sells about 70% of the electricity we generate to our commercial and industrial customers. The remaining electricity production is traded via the wholesale National Electricity Market (NEM). The trading of electricity is strictly regulated and is facilitated through a spot market in 5-minute intervals which allows Stanwell to meet demand across the eastern seaboard of Australia through a centrally coordinated dispatch process.

More insights on the total electricity market from AEMO here
Energy trading

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