Hunter New Energy Symposium to showcase region’s leadership in global energy transition

The Hunter’s reputation as a national and international hub for both traditional and new energy continues to grow, with the 2025 Hunter New Energy Symposium emerging as a key event in cementing this status.

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Taking place on 21–22 May 2025 at Newcastle City Hall, the third annual Symposium, hosted by New.E and HunterNet, will bring together industry leaders, government representatives, researchers, and investors to drive the region’s new energy future.

Boris Novak, Co-Lead of New.E - Hunter New Energy, said the 2025 Symposium will showcase major new energy projects and innovations as well as deepen conversations about optimising the Hunter’s leadership in the energy transition, industrial symbiosis, and circular economy practices.

“This year, we’re placing even greater emphasis on collaboration and action," Mr Novak said.

"From the University of Newcastle, Port of Newcastle, and our thriving small, medium and large businesses, to collaborative networks like HunterNet, Business Hunter and the Committee for the Hunter, the Hunter is rich with talent, expertise and a track record of making innovation happen."

New.E has recently joined the World Economic Forum’s Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative, and Hunter precincts will be highlighted at the Symposium alongside visiting delegates from Invercargill, New Zealand, and the Kwinana region of WA.

“The Symposium continues to showcase significant projects, investments and initiatives driving change. This year we are proud to have extensive involvement from NSW’s Energy Corporation (EnergyCo), alongside the support of the NSW Government and City of Newcastle," Mr Novak said.

“The pace of change is extraordinary, akin to an industrial revolution but unfolding over dramatically shortened timeframes. Over two days, we’ll hear insights from the last 12 months, updates on major projects, and the reset priorities needed to achieve this once-in-a-generation transformation.”

Among the innovations expected to be featured are a 75kW recharging station and a Driftex mining EV, provided courtesy of Ampcontrol, highlighting the region’s leadership in electrification and decarbonisation technologies.

Supporting workforce development and new job creation remains a key focus for the Symposium. Contributions from TAFE NSW and the Net Zero Economy Authority will explore the opportunities and challenges in building the future energy workforce.

Mr Novak acknowledged the vital ongoing support of key partners.

“The Port of Newcastle has again committed as Platinum Sponsor, demonstrating its leadership role in the region’s economic evolution, balancing its legacy role as a coal export gateway with a strong commitment to a new energy future," he said.

Executive Director Planning and Environment Michelle Bisson said City of Newcastle is proud to sponsor this year's Hunter New Energy Symposium.

"It's exciting to have the third annual Symposium at Newcastle City Hall, the same venue that hosted world renowned energy crusader, Dr Saul Griffith, in 2024," Ms Bisson said.

"City of Newcastle is committed to leading the way when it comes to innovation and sustainability and we are thrilled to contribute to an event that brings representatives from industry, government, research and capital markets to Newcastle and supports our vision for a more sustainable future.”

Hunter New Energy Symposium, Newcastle Australia

21 – 22 May 2025

Newcastle City Hall

Limited tickets are still available, visit Symposium - Hunter New Energy

See program highlights below.

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About New.E

At New.E, we envision a future where the Hunter is Australia’s leading new energy hub and technology cluster, demonstrated by excellence in research, innovation, technology and education, production, use, export and employment participation across the new energy supply chains. Through strategic initiatives and partnerships, we are paving the way for regional and statewide economic growth, environmental sustainability, and energy security.

About HunterNet

HunterNet drives growth and success in industry by bringing individuals, SMEs, multinational primes, academia and government to the same table. A renowned industry network run by expert mentors, HunterNet builds the right relationships, opens opportunities, and facilitates education and idea-sharing to deliver tangible benefits to members. HunterNet operates in energy, manufacturing, environment, resources, infrastructure, defence, medtech and agribusiness, and administers New.E, the Hunter Defence Task Force and HunterNet Career Connections.

For more information and to organise interviews call Kate Baartz on 0408 688 547.

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Program highlights

The Hunter New Energy Outlook

• Positioning the Hunter region as a global, diversified energy gateway: Raymond Hohle, Executive Manager Projects and Assets, Port of Newcastle

• Accelerating the transition - Achieving diversity, sustainability and profitability in the new energy economy: Tim Buckley, Director, Climate Energy Finance (CEF)

• The Hunter's place in the new energy world and the case for a National Action Plan: Heidi Lee, CEO - Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE)

Enabling the Hunter New Energy Future - Policy and Investment Levers

• The Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA) - Updates: David Shankey, CEO

• Perspectives on energy policy directions for the Hunter: Todd Settle, Principal Policy Officer - Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)

• The Hunter - A critical enabler to NSW energy transformation: Chloe Hicks, Executive Director, Strategy and Policy - EnergyCo

• Hydrogen - Where are we now? Challenges and opportunities: Dr Fiona Simon, CEO - Australian Hydrogen Council

Hunter New Energy Projects Showcase

• Orica Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub - Updates: Paul Evans, Head of Corporate Affairs, Sustainability and Government Relations - Orica

• BESS - Technology development and industry trends: Michael Wood, Technical Director - Energy Storage and Renewables - GHD

• First commercial Micro-emulsion Flow Battery - Eraring Power Station: Thomas Nann, CEO, Allegro Energy

• A spotlight on local and global projects from energy experts: Turnbull Renewables, Goldwind, & Hall & Wilcox

Inter-Regional Showcase - Insights from Aotearoa New Zealand

• Gareth Dykes, Board Member, Engage Southland & Managing Director at Fi Innovations

• Karyna Young, CEO and Founder - Enpot

• Craig McKenzie, Key Accounts Manager - HWR - Change Fuel Technologies

• Aimee Kaio, Strategic Transformation Lead - Mō kā uri - Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu | Te Whare o Te Waipounamu

Hunter New Energy - A Manufacturing Powerhouse

• Leading the new energy revolution in the Hunter and beyond: Rod Henderson, Managing Director & CEO - Ampcontrol

• Tomago Aluminium - A low-carbon future: Chris Corby, Manager, Repowering the Smelter Project - Tomago Aluminium

• Perspectives on an offshore wind industry, and what that means for the Hunter: Erin Coldham, Chief Development Officer - Southerly Ten

Enabling Hunter New Energy Industry - Transition Growth Levers

• Enabling infrastructure to deliver the transition: Azaria Dobson, Executive Director - Project Interface and Strategic Coordination - EnergyCo

• Battery and firming - and the Hunter focus: Zane Williams, Head of Analysis Power Developments and Energy Hubs - AGL

• Delivering reliability and stability through the transition: Richard Wrightson, Chief Executive - Delta Electricity

Hunter New Energy – Leveraging Hunter Precincts

• Professor Alan Broadfoot, Executive Director - Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER)

• PON Clean Energy Project: Raymond Hohle, Executive Manager Projects and Assets - Port of Newcastle

• AGL Hunter Energy Hub: Seth Pathiyil, Head of Hunter Energy Hub - AGL

• TAFE NSW - A Centre of Excellence for the Hunter: Jason Herbohn, Director Learning & Teaching - Electrotechnology - TAFE NSW

• Kwinana - Industrial precinct optimisation, industrial symbiosis and circular economy practices: Dr. Chris Oughton, Principal - Chris Oughton & Associates

The Hunter New Energy Future – Breakout Sessions

• Energy transformation and regional impact – hosted by Engineers Australia

• R&D and Innovation – A projects showcase highlighting opportunities available in the Hunter and beyond – Hosted by the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub

• Workforce and skills development

• Trailblazing innovations: new ideas, technology and solutions in clean energy and recycling – hosted by TRaCE

• Planning, community and social licence

• Decarbonising hard to abate sectors