James Warr, the new Executive General Manager Engineering at Consolidated Power Projects, believes engineers shouldn’t fear the future, but should help to shape it.
A quiet but deliberate transformation is taking place in Australia’s energy infrastructure, and leading part of that charge is the newly appointed Executive General Manager (EGM) of Engineering at Consolidated Power Projects (CPP), James Warr.
The move is a significant milestone for Warr and for CPP, a company committed to cultivating leaders from within and helping shape the grid of tomorrow.
Warr’s appointment caps off a 14-year journey with the company.
From delivering high-voltage infrastructure as a senior electrical engineer to steering multidisciplinary teams through some of Australia’s most technically demanding energy projects, his career stands as a case study in what’s possible when talent is matched with opportunity.
“To me, it’s recognition of my long-standing journey with CPP – 14 years now – and of living out what we call ‘the CPP way’,” Warr said.
“That includes our core values: teamwork, integrity, innovation and sustainability, as well as servant leadership, commitment and humility.
Warr’s calm confidence and sharp technical mind are matched by a leadership style that values humility over hierarchy and collaboration over command.
“It’s a privilege to lead a team within such a strong culture,” he said. “CPP has been a fantastic place to grow, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help shape its future.
Warr’s story begins well before his current executive post.
After cutting his teeth across utilities and consulting roles in Africa and South Africa, he joined CPP in 2011 as a senior engineer specialising in primary systems, delivering the high-voltage, heavy-current infrastructure that powers Australia’s electricity networks.
His early years at CPP saw him delivering large-scale projects up and down the east coast of Australia for utilities and generation clients.
Leadership opportunities came steadily: managing the primary systems team, stepping into broader engineering management, and finally assuming the mantle of EGM Engineering.
But the journey wasn’t without challenges, and that’s where Warr believes the real growth took place.
“It’s often the challenging projects which shape you the most,” he said. “Those experiences build resilience, commitment, and a deeper understanding of project dynamics.”
Just as important were the people beside him along the journey.
“CPP has a strong culture of teamwork,” Warr said. “When someone hits a rough patch or makes a mistake, the whole team rallies around them.
“That culture of support and shared ownership has influenced my leadership approach more than anything.”
Engineering for the energy transition
Warr steps into the new role at a pivotal moment.
Australia’s energy sector is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation, one driven by the decarbonisation of the grid, the retirement and replacement of legacy assets, and the increasing penetration of renewables, batteries and distributed generation technologies.
It is amid this transition that CPP is playing a critical role in delivering the infrastructure that makes the clean energy future possible.
At the same time, the demands on engineering teams are evolving fast. In addition to technical design responsibilities, today’s engineers must also be innovators, systems thinkers, and solid communicators.
That means Warr’s engineering team is busier – and more vital – than ever.
“One of my key priorities is structuring the engineering business unit to support that growth in a sustainable and efficient way,” he said
The global shortage of skilled power system engineers adds another level of complexity.
To help his team meet so many demands, Warr’s team is exploring new tools and technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, to streamline tasks and give engineers the space to focus on what they do best: solve problems creatively.
“Engineering is inherently creative,” Warr said. “Yes, engineers are logical and systematic, but we’re also adept at solving complex problems that often haven’t been seen before.
“With the rise of AI, we’ll have better tools to manage the numbers. That frees us up to lean into our creative side and think strategically.”
Embracing the future
Warr’s optimism for the future is clear. But his vision isn’t just about tools and technology – it’s about mindset.
“Engineers shouldn’t fear the future, we should help shape it,” he said.
“It’s our responsibility to understand how new and innovative systems work, where their limitations are, and how to integrate them safely and effectively into the real world.”
That philosophy underpins the way CPP is evolving its engineering function, not only to keep pace with industry trends but to lead from the front. Under Warr’s leadership, the focus is as much on people as it is on processes and principles.
“CPP has been excellent at providing opportunities to gain experience across different technical domains,” he said.
“Whether it’s utilities, renewables or grid-scale infrastructure, the diversity of work keeps you learning.”
That exposure has helped Warr develop wide-ranging expertise, but it’s CPP’s commitment to professional development that has helped him grow into a leadership role.
“Professionally, I’ve been supported throughout my increasing leadership responsibilities via good mentorship and always being encouraged to think beyond just technical delivery to focus on culture, innovation, efficiency and the future direction of engineering,” he said.
For CPP, Warr’s journey reflects a broader story – the path to leadership is not about chasing titles but about growing through service, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. His appointment also highlights CPP’s investment in its people.
In an industry facing increasing talent shortages, the company sees internal development as a key to resilience and innovation as much as a retention strategy.
“The energy sector is changing rapidly, and CPP is changing with it,” Warr said.
“But our defining values – teamwork, integrity, innovation and sustainability – remain constant. That is our foundation that makes everything else possible.”
When asked what advice he would give to young engineers entering today’s workforce, Warr’s answer reflected his humility
“Some of the most rewarding roles I’ve taken on came when I was unsure of my capability, but I had the right people around me, and that made all the difference,” he said.
Warr’s advice is to be present, not perfect, and always endeavour to embody the professional competencies that have given the engineering discipline its rightfully respected place in society.
Across Australia, CPP continues to deliver some of the country’s most critical energy infrastructure. And behind the scenes are individuals like James Warr, leaders shaping not just projects but the next generation of engineers.
For more information, visit conpower.com.au