The Clean Energy Council celebrated high achievers of the renewables industry at the Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney on 18 July. The 2023 Clean Energy Council Award winners were announced at a gala dinner during the two-day event at ICC Sydney.
The awards recognise leaders who are contributing to Australia’s clean energy transformation. They honour individuals and organisations across categories including Outstanding Contribution to Industry, Collaboration, First Nations Engagement and Participation, and Diversity and Inclusion.
The Outstanding Contribution to Clean Energy Award went to former NSW Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean (pictured above, centre, with Clean Energy Council chair Peter Cowling, left, and chief executive Kane Thornton, right).
This award honours an individual’s impact towards accelerating Australia’s transition to clean energy. During his time as state energy minister, from 2019 to 2021, Kean delivered the 20-year Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, the biggest renewable energy policy in Australia’s history.
“Leadership is doing more than showing up,” said Clean Energy Council chief executive Kane Thornton.
“Leadership is taking risks to have an impact even if it comes at the expense of your own role or position.
“Championing a progressive set of energy and climate policies in the Liberal Party, Kean argued that the centre of Australian politics needs to reclaim its voice in the political debate.
“His leadership helped break through the partisan political barriers that plagued our sector for years.”
The Collaboration Award recognises an organisation, individual or group that has worked to build consensus and progress a reform that benefits Australia’s clean energy industry.
For 2023, it was presented to Supply Solar for its work recycling and repurposing solar panels. Addressing Australia’s major problem of 450,000 tonnes of used PV panels being destined for landfill by 2040, the company has formed a relationship with the Ministry of Defence to export secondhand panels abroad.
The First Nations Engagement and Participation Award recognises an individual or organisation that demonstrates outstanding positive community engagement with First Nations communities.
The 2023 recipient is the First Nations Clean Energy Network for its groundbreaking work giving First Nations peoples a voice in Australia’s clean energy transition.
The organisation – which was featured in EcoGeneration’s cover story in April 2023 – works with Indigenous communities to develop clean energy engagement and activities. It also works with policymakers to develop strategies to ensure the nation’s clean energy transition is equitable.
There were joint winners of the Diversity and Inclusion Award, with Hydro Tasmania and RES taking the gongs.
Lucy Aird commenced with Hydro Tasmania in 2017 and is recognised for leading an inclusive and accessible culture across the business.
“Championing a sustainable future isn’t just about renewable energy,” she said upon accepting the joint award.
“It is about addressing social inequalities and investing in opportunities for people to grow and succeed.”
RES is the world’s largest independent renewable energy company. It has been honoured for its establishment of a global “affinity network” covering the five dimensions of diversity: age, disability, gender, race and LGBTQI+.
Thornton said the 2023 Clean Energy Council Awards recognise outstanding work to fast-track Australia to a clean energy future.
“Our sector is navigating the greatest transformation of our economy since the Industrial Revolution,” he said.
“This year’s award winners lead the way, delivering the benefits of clean, low-cost renewable energy for Australia’s future success and prosperity.”