Luke’s professional power journey began at Stanwell Power Station, where he completed an adult electrical apprenticeship and rose to the position of Electrical Plant Area Officer. Here, he honed his skills in electrical maintenance and team leadership, orchestrating major power system overhauls, plant breakdowns and routine maintenance.

“It was a leading hand role and I really enjoyed helping the team develop and execute some of those big projects,” Luke recalls, reflecting on his time at Stanwell.

Relocating to Brisbane with his family, Luke sought a role that provided both professional fulfillment and flexibility for his kids. This led him to SAMCo, where he leverages his extensive background in electrical safety, high-voltage switching and team leadership.

“These are foundational skills that have been essential to my current role, especially given SAMCo’s shift towards renewable projects,” Luke says. “I’m currently working on building a travelling electrical team, the development of our Permit to Work (PTW) system,. I’ve also been actively involved in tenders and operational strategy for some of our other solar projects.”

Making the switch

Initially hesitant about moving to the renewable sector, Luke’s nearly year-long experience has radically shifted his perspective.

“I was unsure at the start because honestly, I didn’t know much about it. When the first expression of interest came around, I didn’t show interest because I wasn’t sure what I was getting into,” he says. “But now that I’ve been part of it for nine months, I’m finding it very exciting. It’s forced me out of my comfort zone.”

Luke says the most exciting aspect is the development and execution of new projects that are unprecedented in Australia.

“We’re exploring new approaches and innovations, so to be a part of that is exciting,” he says. “I find the challenges rewarding, and it’s exciting to pioneer projects that are firsts for SAMCo.”

To bolster his experience, Luke has completed specialised training for global wind power organisations and SMA inverter training for solar plants.

“I’m the Qualified Technical Person (QTP) for SAMCo, which means I’m responsible for making sure that we adhere to the electrical legislation and our obligations for our electrical licence. Continuing education in leadership and technical skills are also a priority for me,” he says.

As well, regular participation in renewable energy conferences and summits further enriches Luke’s understanding of industry dynamics and best practices.

“These renewable events are exciting. They help my team and I get a better understanding of the industry, and make sure that we stay ahead in this field.”

Luke is particularly enthusiastic about his involvement in upcoming hydro and wind initiatives, contributions that will all be vital to SAMCo’s growing presence in Queensland’s renewable energy sector.

“I’m excited about the potential for our Hydro Project and being part of the maintenance of that. There’s also a large solar park being built in Queensland, and we could potentially be part of the operational maintenance of that, which is exciting,” he says.

Recharging old perceptions with new energy

Luke is also passionate about dismantling misconceptions surrounding the renewable sector.

“Educating my former colleagues and industry peers about the realities and benefits of renewables is a big challenge. There’s a bit of a stigma associated with the sector,” he says.

“The reality is, the work isn’t all that different – it’s just focused on different assets. Just having conversations and keeping people up to speed with what we’re doing helps make others feel more comfortable about the transition.”

Luke anticipates rapid growth in the renewable energy sector, driven by increasing interest and investment. He sees himself playing a big role in this growth by developing SAMCo’s on-the-ground personnel to operate and maintain these renewable assets across Queensland.

“We’re currently expanding our team to include eight travelling service technicians,” he says. “The renewable energy sector is going to evolve quite rapidly. I can just see from the conversations we’re having within the industry that there’s a lot of interest in SAMCo, and I’m eager to lead our ground personnel in harnessing these new opportunities.”

Luke encourages other energy workers to consider the opportunities in the renewable sector, emphasising the potential for growth.

“There’s definitely a lot of opportunity out there, but not many people have put their hand up.”

He says it comes down to making people feel comfortable and answering their questions.

“We’ve gotten word out that the work is quite good and the team are enjoying it,” he says.

“We did a few presentations back at other sites earlier this year, and there were a lot of people asking some fairly detailed questions around the industry. There were people in the room that probably wouldn’t have shown interest six months ago, so that’s a good thing..

“There’s a wealth of genuine opportunity here. If you step outside your comfort zone, you might just be surprised.”

For those contemplating a switch to renewables, Luke’s story is a testament to the personal and professional growth that awaits in the green energy frontier.