Social Performance for SWIS Energy Transition Projects

AIE Perth is pleased to host a presentation by Margot Hammond from Western Power and a panel discussion over lunch on the social performance challenges of planning for new high-voltage electricity transmission projects across WA’s South West Interconnected System. These projects are designed to enable our planned growth in renewable electricity generation and customer electricity demand within WA’s South West Interconnected System, which are both aimed at achieving our greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. Margot’s presentation will be followed by a moderated panel discussion where she’ll be joined by several energy professionals each providing different stakeholder perspectives.

Join AIE in conversation with Margot Hammond, Western Power’s Transmission Social Performance Manager, as she outlines Western Power's social performance framework to support WA's clean enegy transition and planning for a future-ready grid. Margot will provide a presentation, followed by moderated Q&A with:

· Patrick Ragan, Stakeholder Relations & BD Director at Green Wind Renewables

· Esther Diffey, Technical Director - Social Performance at SLR Consulting

· Lindsay Bridge, Associate Director, Indigenous Sector Practice at EY

Moderator: Katie McKenzie, Group Manager – WA System Design and Transformation, AEMO & President, Australian Institute of Energy Board

This event will focus on tackling social performance issues such as stakeholder fatigue, achieving positive outcomes for communities and incorporating lessons learned from stakeholder engagement practices on transmission line projects outside Western Australia.

The panellist will provide a presentation, followed by facilitated Q&A.

Speaker Information:

Margot Hammond, Transmission Social Performance Manager, Western Power

Margot has the exciting role of leading the development and implementation of social performance framework and strategy to support transmission expansion projects across the network.

With more than 15 years of experience in communications and engagement, and a proven track record of managing extensive stakeholder relationships, business governance, and sustainability and community investment across the sectors of arts, commercial, government, and large infrastructure among others, Margot is well placed in integrating social considerations into Western Power’s transition to a cleaner and more resilient energy system for Western Australia. Her success in building strong and diverse professional teams that deliver social impact assessments, strategic engagement, environmental performance, land management, and statutory approvals is well known across industry and her contribution to social investment performance and innovation has been recognised by an Australian Institute of Energy “Women in Energy” Award.

Panelist Biographies:

Patrick Ragan, Stakeholder Relations and Business Development Director, Green Wind Renewables

Prior to joining Green Wind Renewables in 2023 as the Stakeholder Relations and Business Development Director, Patrick amassed over 16 years of experience at Western Power. In this tenure, he navigated through several management and leadership roles focusing on business development, risk management, process improvement, and adherence to regulatory frameworks, including compliance with the State's Connection Policy. His journey at Western Power culminated in the prestigious role of Ambassador to Mining and Industry, where he engaged with major industrial customers to ensure a thorough understanding of their future energy needs and collaborated on developing effective solutions. Presently, Patrick is driving initiatives for Green Wind Renewables, which currently has four SWIS-connected wind farms under development with investment partner Aula Energy, a recently formed subsidiary of Macquarie.

Esther Diffey, Technical Director – Social Performance, SLR Consulting

Esther has over twenty years of stakeholder and community engagement experience on power, energy and infrastructure projects. She provides strategic advice to design effective multi-layered communication strategies, as well as initiatives to ensure social procurement requirements can be exceeded and positive social outcomes are achieved.

Lindsay Bridge, Associate Director, Indigenous Sector Practice, EY

Lindsay is a skilled professional whose career spans 25 years of land administration, policy, and Indigenous affairs development. In recent years has been working at EY in a range of activities including strategic planning, operational reform, finance modelling and policy development to Indigenous organisations, government, and industry. Lindsay is an Aboriginal man from the Gija people, East Kimberley Region (WA).

Moderator

Katie McKenzie, Group Manager - WA System Design & Transformation, AEMO and President, Australian Institute of Energy Board

Katie is an energy policy, regulation & stakeholder relations specialist focused on progressing a secure, low-carbon, consumer-centric energy transition through her current roles with AEMO and AIE. Prior to joining AEMO, Katie served as a Director at EY, Principal Policy Adviser to two successive WA Energy Ministers and member of the WA Energy Transformation Taskforce.

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Ticket sales will close at 12pm on Monday 20 May 2024, unless sold out prior. Any special dietary requirements and attendees’ names for table bookings are required by this deadline.

This event will include alcoholic refreshments on arrival, with soft drinks also provided during lunch

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FAQs

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Via email or via phone 0434 875 017 / 0459 188 992

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Just send us an email to registrationswa@aie.org.au with your name, organisation and phone number.

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Any changes to your ticket booking, including table bookings and special dietary requirements?

Just send us an email to registrationswa@aie.org.au with your name, organisation and what changes you need made. Any changes to specifications to special dietary requirements and attendees’ names for table bookings must be made by 12pm on Monday 20 May 2024.

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r ability to attend an event you registered for; or

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