Specialised Energy Solutions has successfully supported the delivery of 10.5 gigawatts of capacity for utility-scale projects across Australia, enabled through its strong construction, maintenance and manufacturing sector partnerships. Behind that infrastructure is a high-performing team, including inspiring women, shaping the next generation of energy projects.
As Australia accelerates its transition toward more diversified energy technologies, the conversation across the sector is evolving. It is no longer defined solely by capacity or investment alone. Increasingly, attention is turning to the people behind the projects required to deliver and sustain them over decades.
The challenge is no longer just building projects, but building them well.
Quality, performance, and long-term asset reliability are now directly linked to the expertise and experience of teams working across the full lifecycle of delivery – from executive decision-making and commercial structuring, to operations support, field coordination and hands-on construction.
At Specialised Energy Solutions (SES), this capability is reflected in the experiences of three women working in different roles across the organisation; Alba Ruiz Leon, Non-Executive Director; Karen Hindmarch, Operations Support Manager; and Kyia Comerford, Electrical Apprentice.
Together, these women working on energy projects represent a cross-section of the modern workforce and a powerful shift in how projects are being delivered across Australia.
Strategic leadership grounded in execution
Originally from Spain, the career of Alba Ruiz Leon has spanned different continents and industries – from aerospace engineering in Europe to large-scale renewable and conventional energy development and operations across Australia.
Non-Executive Director at Specialised Energy Solutions | Image Credit: SES
With over 20 years’ experience, she has held senior roles at well-known organisations such as Acciona Energy, EnergyAustralia, RWE Renewables, FRV, GHD, Cornwall Insights Australia, and Ausenco. Her portfolio includes some of Australia’s most significant renewable projects, from early wind developments such as Waubra and Gunning to the delivery of Limondale Solar Farm, which at 349 megawatt peak (DC) was the largest in the country at the time.
At SES, Ruiz Leon operates at the intersection of strategy and delivery. Her role extends beyond traditional governance, encompassing risk management, commercial advisory, stakeholder alignment, and quality assurance across complex utility-scale projects.
“While teams are busy delivering, my role is to make sure nothing critical is missed,” she says.
“You need technical understanding, commercial discipline, and the ability to assess complex issues quickly across multiple areas of the business.”
Her day-to-day work reflects this breadth – ranging from refining internal systems and reviewing proposals to advising on pricing strategies and partnership opportunities. Yet her approach remains grounded by a simple principle: Prioritisation.
That mindset is critical in an industry defined by tight timelines, evolving risks and high capital exposure.
Ruiz Leon’s leadership is defined by clarity, accountability and collaboration, an approach that drives performance and results while maintaining an uncompromising focus on quality delivery.
Importantly, her work ethic reflects a broader shift within the industry towards a flexible and inclusive working environment. As a mother of five young children, she says the importance of organisations enabling high performance through trust and adaptability is critical.
“It’s not about lowering expectations,” Ruiz Leon says.
“It’s about creating the conscious conditions for people to perform at their best, while recognising their circumstances,” Ruiz Leon says.
Operational strength at the core of delivery
While strategy defines direction, execution determines success. For Karen Hindmarch, that execution happens in the space between planning and reality.
Operations Support Manager at Specialised Energy Solutions | Image Credit: SES
Based in Central Queensland, Hindmarch joined SES at its inception in 2022 and has grown alongside the business. Transitioning from an administrative role into operations support, she has built a unique skill set grounded in both coordination and hands-on project experience.
“This perspective is critical in utility-scale projects, where coordination across contractors and systems often determines delivery success,” Hindmarch says.
The renewable sector remains male-dominated, particularly in field-based roles. However, Hindmarch sees this as not as a barrier, but an opportunity to demonstrate capability.
“You have to back yourself. Let your work speak for itself, and don’t hesitate to voice your perspective when it matters,” she says.
Hindmarch believes that diversity is not simply a cultural objective, it is a performance driver.
“Women bring strong communication, coordination and empathy. These skills are critical when managing complex teams and high-pressure environments,” she says.
Her proudest achievement is not tied to a single project milestone, but to personal growth and the ability to support others.
“I’m proud of how far I’ve come – and of being able to lift others up along the way,” she adds.
That mindset reinforces a key industry insight: Strong teams are not just built on technical capability, but on trust, support, and shared accountability.
The next generation
A prime example of the next generation of talent driving the energy transition is Kyia Comerford, an electrical apprentice at SES.
Electrical Apprentice at Specialised Energy Solutions | Image Credit: SES
Based in Brisbane, Comerford has spent the past three years developing her career, including two years with SES.
“I wanted to enter the renewable energy sector to make a meaningful impact in society,” Comerford says.
Through her role at SES, she has gained exposure to major utility-scale projects, including battery energy storage systems, participating in construction and commissioning activities that directly contribute to successful project delivery.
One of her proudest achievements has been her contribution to the Blyth Battery project. By supporting the electrical installation of inverters and transformers, she helped the project reach the commissioning stage ahead of schedule.
“Seeing the Blyth Battery project come to life and power communities is incredibly rewarding,” Comerford says.
Like many early-career professionals, Comerford acknowledges the challenges of building confidence and establishing credibility while working in a traditionally male-dominated field.
“It can be challenging, but I’d rather grow through that than step away from a long-term career I’m deeply about,” she says.
Comerford’s perspective reflects a broader reality within the sector: Growth often comes from stepping outside comfort zones.
Crucially, she highlights the importance of support systems within organisations.
“The team is always willing to help and mentor me,” Comerford says.
“That makes a huge difference when you’re starting out.”
Looking ahead
Australia’s renewable energy transition is one of the most significant industrial transformations in the country’s history. Delivering it successfully will require more than infrastructure – it will require capability across every level of the workforce.
The workforce journeys of Ruiz Leon, Hindmarch and Comerford demonstrate that this capability is already evolving.
“Women are not just entering the sector, they’re helping shape it,” Ruiz Leon says.
“From boardrooms to construction sites, they’re contributing to the systems, processes and infrastructure that will define Australia’s energy future.”
Now, the challenge is to continue building supportive environments where that contribution can thrive.
“Because in the end, the energy transition isn’t just built in megawatts – it’s built by people,” Ruiz Leon says.
This article was featured in ecogeneration magazine (June 2026 edition).
