In your role at EDF Australia, what are the big questions that keep you up at night right now?

The energy transition is a generational challenge and perhaps the most complex industrial transformation of our time. It rightly demands deep contemplation. Whilst we should expect uncertainty to accompany a change of this magnitude, the layered nature of that uncertainty (how, when, in what form and at what cost) is what I spend most time thinking about.

When prioritising the questions to think about, I anchor myself to the fact that the energy transition is already full steam ahead. The importance, role and value proposition of fuel types in Australia’s energy system have already fundamentally changed. Our reliance on fossil-based systems of energy production and consumption is now commercially unsustainable (particularly as more coal plants age and become too expensive to operate). Depleting domestic gas supply, limited new realistic domestic supply sources and constraints in the gas transmission network make gas’ role as a transition fuel uncertain and potentially expensive. Cheaper (not free) renewable generation and storage technologies already make up 42.5% of the NEM’s capacity.

With that in mind, I often reflect on how we ensure that suppliers of clean, dispatchable, and reliable energy are adequately compensated for the investments they make in the future energy system. Market design must continue to evolve to allow for this. How do we create the conditions for long-term investment in technologies that are capital intensive and have lengthy development timelines—like pumped hydro and other forms of long-duration storage technology?

Similarly, the role of transmission is critical. How do we sequence and roll out transmission infrastructure to support the efficient development of new generation assets? And where does Consumer Energy Resources (CER) fit in the long-term energy ecosystem?

How do we ensure honest, de-politicised conversations about the relative cost of the energy transition?

These are not theoretical questions—they are central to how we navigate the path to net zero in a way that is secure, equitable, and economically viable.

With a National Electricity Market (NEM) review underway, what do you see as the most pressing areas for change?

Everything, everywhere, all at once.

At the heart of the NEM review should lie two questions: (i) how do our market mechanisms provide investor confidence to ensure there is enough capital invested in the infrastructure we need to maintain the pace of our energy transition and (ii) how do we balance that with ensuring the equitable treatment of ultimate energy consumers.

Dispatchable, low-carbon generation projects require long development horizons and an acceptance of greenfield risk. We need market mechanisms that provide price signals and long-term revenue certainty for the investors who are taking this risk and ultimately outlaying significant amounts of capital to commercialise these assets. The challenge is most retailers can only provide short rem off takes based on their retail contracts. Generator developers require longer term offtakes for financing projects. Governments have a role to play in filling in the gap.

This needs to be balanced with ensuring the cost of the energy transition is affordable by those who have to ultimately pay for it.

Equally important is addressing the friction in our approval and consent processes, which span multiple jurisdictions and stakeholder groups. Streamlining these pathways would significantly reduce risk and development timelines.

We must address speculative behaviour in project development—what some call land banking. The market needs clearer time limits on exclusivity agreements, and a degree of transparency around project development rights. Otherwise, we risk inefficient allocation of resources and delayed outcomes for consumers.

What innovations do you believe will have the most impact on the energy transition?

Innovation is at the core of everything we do at EDF Group. It’s a particular source of pride for our employees across the world. We spend almost A$1B annually on research and development ensuring that we stay at the forefront of energy transition trends.

The maturity of Australia’s energy transition means our country is comparatively advanced when it comes to considering energy system innovations.

We are already building an energy system where storage solutions of all kinds (Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES), other forms of long duration storage technology and shorter duration Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)) will become essential to grid reliability. When variable renewable energy (VRE) output is low, these technologies will step in as the backbone of energy security. But we must look beyond conventional battery systems. Technologies that extend beyond four hours at standard discharge rates will play a crucial role in stabilising the grid and enabling higher VRE penetration.

There is potential for these technologies, when deployed incrementally and strategically, to significantly reduce our reliance on gas. Australia also has a unique advantage in its vast and resource-rich geography. If we can harness those resources in remote areas—responsibly and with minimal social licence impacts—we will be well-positioned to meet both domestic and export-oriented energy needs.

The application of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology is transformative, particularly in connecting remote Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) to major load centres. It offers a way to address both efficiency and social licence challenges inherent in overhead transmission in the current NEM.

What’s the one thing in the energy sector that no one is talking about, but should be?

I believe HVDC is underappreciated in public discourse. It has the capacity to unlock large volumes of variable renewable energy and deliver it efficiently to bulk supply points in the existing shared network. Its strategic deployment could be a game changer—not just for technical reasons, but for earning and maintaining the social licence we need to build the energy system of the future.

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