NZEA

09/09/2026

NZEA staff attended the First Nations Clean Energy Network Symposium on Wadawurrung country (Geelong) last month

First Nations communities, industry and government came together to discuss the opportunities and responsibilities shaping Australia’s energy transition.

Clean energy projects being developed across Australia present a significant opportunity to deliver economic benefits and support the self-determination of First Nations people.

The event provided an opportunity to explore First Nations leadership and participation in clean energy projects, as well as some key policy challenges and opportunities.

Projects shared at the event highlighted that:
🔸The legal and cultural rights First Nations people hold make them central to clean energy projects and the net zero transition.
🔸First Nations people can and do participate as genuine partners and as project proponents.
🔸Clean energy projects are contributing to greater energy security for people living in isolated and remote communities, alleviating health and financial pressures.

Our team visited the Latrobe-Gippsland region to engage with Traditional Owners at the Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place. The visit opened a small window into the deep history of First Nations people in the region.

Read more in the comments below 👇

08/09/2026

⚡ A local powerhouse in Latrobe’s energy transition. A role model for young girls.

From apprentice to 2025 Victorian Apprentice of the Year, Amber is helping forge a pathway for women in the energy workforce and inspiring the next generation to consider careers in trades. 👩‍🏭

With a strong desire to enhance her career prospects, Amber challenged herself in a male-dominated arena. Today Amber is forging a pathway for women in the energy workforce.

"I am so glad that I decided to take the leap and apply. It was a big shift from what I originally planned, but it turned out to be the best decision I could have made."

The Latrobe Toolkit includes case studies of local community members, like Amber, who are already adapting, innovating and benefiting from the transition.

Read more about Amber’s story in the comments below 👇

📸 Case study and images from TAFE Gippsland

07/09/2026

A powerful snapshot of a region in transition.

Photographer Jesse Thompson has documented the Latrobe region's transition away from coal power, capturing the people, places and landscapes that are part of this changing story.

We've shared a few of his incredible images here, but the full photo essay is well worth a look

Look at the full photo essay in The Guardian:
🔗 http://srkr.io/6185BPNR

Follow Jesse's work:
📸
🌐 http://srkr.io/6186BPNr

NZEA is working alongside communities, workers and industry across Latrobe-Gippsland to support the region through the energy transition.

04/09/2026

🗣️“The challenge is converting talk into lasting economic and community value.”

This was the key message from NZEA CEO David Shankey's keynote address at the Gippsland Climate Change Network's Gippsland New Energy Conference (GNEC) 2026.

For Latrobe and the broader Gippsland region, the transition presents an opportunity to build on a proud energy legacy while creating new jobs, attracting investment and supporting long-term economic growth.

Over two days, we heard from local businesses, community groups, workers and students. One thing stood out above all else: the region's resilience and willingness to work together to shape its future.

NZEA is proud to be working with industry, governments, unions, businesses and communities to help deliver lasting benefits for the region. Thank you to Gippsland Climate Change Network for bringing together so many important voices.

Read more in the first comment. 👇

📸 Image credit: Lisa Baker Photography

AusIndustry Department of Industry, Science and Resources

31/08/2026

Today, CEO David Shankey announced that our public consultation process has commenced to help determine whether the Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP) is required for Gladstone Power Station.

Gladstone Power Station is operated by NRG Gladstone Operating Services Pty Ltd on behalf of an unincorporated joint venture and may retire in March 2029.

Through the consultation process, we're seeking feedback on:

✅ how the potential closure may affect workers, local businesses and the wider community
✅ the transition supports already in place
✅ what opportunities exist in the regional labour market that can support worker transition

🗣️We encourage community members, workers, businesses and stakeholders to have their say.

📆 Online submissions close at 5pm AEST on 25 September 2026.

Read more in the comments below 👇

28/08/2026

The launch of Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) Tender 11 is another important step in building Australia's future energy system, supporting 1.8 GW of new renewable capacity in WA and creating opportunities for meaningful First Nations partnerships.

Looking forward to seeing the innovative projects that help power the next chapter of Australia's energy future. 🌏⚡

Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) Tender 11 – WA Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) Generation is now open for bids. ⚡

Key features of Tender 11 include:

• A target of 1.8 GW of renewable generation capacity in the WEM by 2030. 🌱
• A First Nations set-aside for projects with 5%+ equity and/or revenue sharing. 🤝
• A requirement for projects to participate in WA's Reserve Capacity Mechanism. 🔋
• The potential to be the final WEM tender under the CIS, subject to capacity targets being met.

📅 Bids will close at 5pm AWST on 22 October 2026.

🔗 Link in comments. 👇

26/08/2026

The future of steelmaking is being shaped at the The University of Newcastle, Australia.

For more than 15 years, the university's partnership with BHP has brought researchers and industry together to tackle one of the defining challenges of our time: decarbonisation.

Together, they're advancing technologies that support the production of low and near zero emissions steel – one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise and helping create real world impact for Australian industry.

Professor Tom Honeyands, Director of the University's BHP Centre for Sustainable Steelmaking Researchsays, ‘Decarbonisation is a shared priority for both parties.’

By bringing together scientific expertise and industry collaboration, researchers are advancing pathways to support the production of near-zero-emission steel while strengthening Australia's industrial future.

📷 Image by Financial Review featuring Associate Professor Arash Tahmasebi and Associate Professor Tom Honeyands, co-directors of the BHP Centre for Sustainable Steelmaking Research at the University of Newcastle.

📖 Read more via the link in the comments.

25/08/2026

🎓 Calling all Engineering & Technology Students!

Did you know applications for the DIIP - Defence Industry Internship Program close on 30 August?

Here's what students from our priority regions, Hunter and Central Queensland, had to say:

⭐"MCS gave me a genuine opportunity to apply my university skills in a real working environment."
Joe McIntyre, The University of Newcastle, Australia

⭐"I researched and worked on helping educate the company on specific defence-related requirements surrounding cyber security."
James Baker, The University of Newcastle, Australia

⭐"This internship was the 'golden opportunity' I had been pursuing."
Patrick Ward, CQUniversity

This paid internship program gives students the chance to work on real projects with innovative defence industry businesses while building practical skills, industry connections, and professional experience.

If you're in your final year of an Engineering or Technology degree, this could be your chance to gain paid industry experience and kick-start your career.

📅 Applications close 30 August.

👇 Link in the comments.

21/08/2026

⚡Powering local jobs, supporting Australian manufacturing and creating lasting benefits for Central Queensland.

🌱ACCIONA Energía Aldoga Solar Farm, located north-west of Gladstone, is set to generate enough renewable energy to power around 185,000 homes, with 820,000 solar panels delivering 387MW into the grid. The project is also the first of its kind in Queensland to incorporate Australian-made steel for its solar panel mounting structures.

👷For Site Manager Tim Wight, the project's impact goes beyond construction.

💭“It’s great for the area. I’m very proud to be a part of this project and my family is too… creating long term jobs for the next 30 years plus contractors… it’s a great feeling that we know that we’re supporting local community in this area.”

Learn more via the link in the comments. 👇

20/08/2026

🧑‍🎓 Meet Seth Fitzgerald, an engineering student from the Upper Hunter with big ideas for the future.

🛠️ After discovering The Melt Modern Manufacturing Centre in Muswellbrook, Seth was able to explore his passion for building and innovation in a real-world setting. He's now studying Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Newcastle and hopes to one day return home to establish his own engineering business.

💬 "I think renewable energy is something we need to keep investing our time in – there is room for more innovation."

⚡Young innovators like Seth are helping shape the technologies and industries to support Australia's net zero future.

👇 Read the full story in the comments.