On 21 October 2025, the ninth annual Australian Financial Review Energy Awards took place at the Hilton Sydney. Hosted in conjunction with Jemena, the event celebrated the businesses and individuals shaping Australia’s path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The six award winners exemplify how innovation, community focus, safety, customer orientation and sustainability intersect to propel the country’s energy transition. Ecogeneration highlights each winner and their contribution to the sector.
Innovation Challenger: Allegro Energy
Winner: Allegro Energy – Developer of sustainable energy storage solutions
The Innovation Challenger category recognises organisations that significantly advance energy technologies and practices. Allegro Energy was selected for its pioneering approach to designing and commercialising sustainable storage systems. By challenging conventional models and demonstrating the commercial potential of new chemistries, Allegro has set a benchmark for how innovation can accelerate the clean energy transition.
Community Engagement: SolarBuddy
Winner: SolarBuddy – Supplier of solar-powered lights to communities in need
The Community Engagement category celebrates initiatives that meaningfully connect with and uplift communities. SolarBuddy earned the accolade for its impactful partnerships that bring solar lighting to households experiencing energy poverty worldwide. Their programs focus on delivering tangible social and environmental outcomes and inspiring education and awareness around energy equity.
Wellbeing, Health and Safety: Amplitude Energy
Winner: Amplitude Energy – Domestic gas producer and developer
The Wellbeing, Health and Safety category recognises excellence in strategies that elevate workforce safety and wellbeing. Amplitude Energy stood out for embedding a safety-first culture across its operations, backed by comprehensive support systems and measurable results.
Customer Experience: RELA
Winner: RELA – Renewable land access and stakeholder management company
The Customer Experience category honours organisations that prioritise service quality, satisfaction and transparency. RELA’s award-winning approach empowers landowners and regional communities to play an active role in renewable development projects.
Sustainability: Venergy Solar
Winner: Venergy Solar – Helping communities off the grid in Africa
Winner of the Sustainability category is Venergy Solar. Operating since 2009, the organisation spends time testing, grading and cataloguing solar panels, sending those with plenty of usable power to communities in need in Africa, including the Mother Theresa Hospital in Nigeria.
Sustainability Leader: Synertec
Winner: Synertec – Multidisciplinary engineering services provider
The Sustainability Leader category recognises leadership in addressing environmental challenges through innovation and efficiency. Synertec’s engineering expertise in automation, control systems and validation supports decarbonisation across critical sectors, from power to life sciences.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Kerry Schott
Winner: Kerry Schott – Energy leader and policy pioneer
Not open for nominations, the Lifetime Achievement Award honour a special individual that strongly demonstrates unique leadership and service that has profoundly influenced Australia’s energy landscape.
Kerry Schott was recognised with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades-long contribution to energy reform, governance and market design. Her work continues to inspire future generations of professionals dedicated to building a more reliable, sustainable, and equitable energy system.
For more information about the at 2025 AFR Energy Awards, click here.