Renewable energy is not only transforming Australia’s power grid but also reshaping the workforce behind it. In an industry where only four per cent of trade related roles are filled by women, Stanwell Asset Maintenance Company (SAMCo) is redefining the landscape.
At SAMCo, women are stepping into leadership roles that challenge the male-dominated status quo, bringing technical expertise, strategic vision, and fresh perspectives to an industry that needs them now more than ever.
Right now, Australia is facing a significant talent shortage in her renewable energy sector.
According to a 2024 report by the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney, in partnership with the Australian Energy Market Operator, Australia needs to expand her clean energy workforce from 21,500 to 59,300 by 2030 to achieve 82 per cent renewable electricity generation in the National Electricity Market.
This expansion translates to an immediate requirement for an additional 37,800 skilled workers within the next five years. Addressing this gap is crucial for Australia’s transition to a sustainable energy future.
Becoming a solar pioneer
Andrea Tighe stands among a forest of solar panels at Kidston Solar Farm, scanning the equipment below.
With nearly two decades of experience in the energy sector, her gaze is sharp and trained to spot the slightest anomaly.
As SAMCo’s Site Lead at this 50MW facility built on a former gold mine site, Tighe works like a silent guardian, ensuring the farm hums at peak efficiency.
“I monitor string currents and inverter outputs throughout the day,” Tighe said.
“This allows us to detect and react to anomalies in real time or schedule investigations and repairs. At a smaller site like Kidston, underperforming strings or tracker failures can significantly impact the farm’s output, so staying proactive is essential.”
Tighe’s journey to this position began far from renewables.
Starting as an apprentice at Mount Isa Mines at age 17, she later joined an energy company, and achieved a significant milestone in 2006 as the company’s first dual-qualified female Electrician and Powerline Worker.
Then, in 2015, Tighe saw the solar sector beginning to take off, and she decided to be part of that growth from the start.
After successfully managing a single 11 MW renewables asset for ENcome Energy Performance as the company’s first site electrician, Tighe was drawn to SAMCo by its supportive and well-resourced work environment.
“SAMCo is truly collaborative, and the team communicate openly, clearly and very respectively,” she explained.
“They understand and provide adequate resources for their projects which significantly adds value to safety and employee wellbeing, which increase employee commitment, ownership and retention.”
Words mighty as sun
While Tighe brings technical expertise to SAMCo’s operations, Bec Manley’s experience in communications is helping the company’s expansion in the renewable energy market.
As the Business Growth Manager, Manley’s journey to renewables took an unconventional path.
Manley began her career as a sports journalist covering events like the Beijing Olympic Games.
She later specialised in media and crisis communications and worked with energy industry clients before joining Stanwell’s Corporate Affairs team in 2017.
“When I started working with energy clients, I immediately connected with the sector. It’s dynamic, it’s evolving, and there’s always a new challenge to tackle,” Manley said.
She completed her MBA in 2022 and later joined SAMCo at its inception.
Now, she leads a team responsible for developing SAMCo’s business strategy and driving growth in renewable sectors.
Manley’s team plays a crucial role in shaping SAMCo’s position in the clean energy market, driving strategy, client relationships, and project mobilisation.
With her 12 years in communications and journalism, Manley has a deep understanding of stakeholder engagement – an essential skill in business growth and client relations.
For her, success starts with listening.
“It’s really important just to listen – to the pain points clients have, to what they expect – and see the opportunities where we can improve their experience,” she said.
She led SAMCo’s mobilisation at Collinsville Solar Farm, a milestone in her shift from corporate affairs to operations.
According to her, as a start-up, SAMCo has the chance to build an inclusive and diverse workforce from the ground up.
“We’re building something new, and that means we have the opportunity to get it right from the start,” she said.
“We know that when there are more diverse workforces, businesses are safer, more innovative, and more productive, because you’re listening to ideas from people with a wider variety of backgrounds.”
Building diversity beyond numbers
Tighe and Manley’s stories exemplify SAMCo’s commitment to diversity, but the company’s initiatives extend far beyond individual success stories.
“Our commitment to diversity is not just about numbers to get people in the door; it’s also about creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute so we don’t leak talent once it joins our team,” Manley said.
Launched in 2023, SAMCo builds on Stanwell’s decades of experience as one of the most reliable operators in the National Electricity Market, applying this expertise to the renewable energy sector.
Today, SAMCo and its parent company Stanwell, has established several concrete initiatives to promote women’s leadership and diversity, including the Senior Women’s Leadership Network.
It is also partnering with Queensland universities through scholarships, including the Women in Energy STEM scholarship with QUT, and the First Nations in STEM scholarship with CQUniversity.
SAMCo also supports industry events including the Queensland Women in Energy event and the UN Women International Women’s Day event to encourage networking and mentorship opportunities.
“You often hear, ‘there shouldn’t be gender targets, jobs should be given on merit’, but when there’s unconscious and systemic bias unwittingly built into the industry, I think you need to have diversity goals in place or we’re just going to go around in circles,” Manley said.
“Just doing what has always been done, won’t help us fill the massive skills shortfall we expect to see across the sector.”
As SAMCo continues to expand its operations and maintenance services across Queensland’s renewable energy sites, it’s setting a new standard for diversity in the energy transition.
Through the leadership of women like Tighe and Manley, SAMCo isn’t just maintaining renewable energy assets – it’s building the inclusive workforce that will power Australia’s clean energy future.
For more information, visit stanwell.com
This article featured in the April edition of ecogeneration.
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