Having served as chair of ARENA’s board for two previous terms, Punch has overseen significant growth at ARENA, and has been instrumental in the development of key funding programs including Hydrogen Headstart and Community Batteries Round 1.

Related article: Alinga’s Ruby Heard on equity through energy

Ruby Heard and Dr Dean Travers are joining the ARENA board for the first time.

Heard is a descendent of the Jaru people of the Kimberley, an electrical engineer and founding director of Alinga Energy Consulting, providing energy research services with a focus on affordable and sustainable off-grid systems to improve the livelihoods for Indigenous communities, and brings considerable experience in the building services and energy space.

Dr Travers has more than 25 years of experience in the energy sector across global markets in mergers and acquisitions, deal structuring, project development and operations and maintenance. He has worked across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia to develop conventional and renewable energy projects for global energy firms.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller welcomed Heard and Travers to the board, saying their experience and expertise in the energy sector will enhance its existing board and guide ARENA as it facilitates the clean energy transition.

“The ARENA board is gaining some incredible talent in Ms Heard and Dr Travers,” he said.

“ARENA is committed to ensuring First Nations People are at the forefront of the energy transition and Ms Heard’s work as Director of Alinga Energy Consulting and on the Steering Committee of the First Nations Clean Energy Network will provide an invaluable perspective for our work.”

“Dr Travers brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in working on renewable energy projects around the world that will not only help with ARENA funded projects, but also open up global collaboration opportunities,” Mr Miller said.

ARENA’s Board has overall responsibility for the operations of the agency. It is a skills-based decision-making body, responsible for recommending the Agency’s annual general funding strategy to the Minister, setting investment priorities, overseeing the running of the organisation and approving project funding.

Related article: Darren Miller reappointed for third term as ARENA CEO

ARENA also thanks its outgoing board members, Anna Matysek and John Hirjee, who have both served on ARENA’s Board for two terms.

“I’d like to thank Anna and John for their time and contributions to ARENA. Their skills and expertise along the way have helped pave the way forward for us. I wish them well in their next endeavours.” Mr Miller said.

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Outgoing board members Jonathan Jutsen, Maria Atkinson AM and Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO will conclude their terms this week.

The new board members are: Samantha Hogg, chair of Tasmanian Irrigation and current board member of Hydro Tasmania; Dougal McOmish, CEO of Sundrop Farms; and Stephanie Unwin, CEO of Phylogica, a biotech and medical devices company in Western Australia, and current board member of Zenith Energy.

The three new appointees join three current board members including ARENA chair Martijn Wilder AM, Meg McDonald and Susan Jeanes who have been reappointed.

The new members were appointed by Minister for the Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg to two-year terms.

ARENA chair Martijn Wilder thanked the outgoing board members for their contribution.

“I would like to extend my thanks to all our outgoing board members Maria, Katherine and Jonathan for their efforts over the last two years including their work to set the ARENA’s investment priorities which include grid security and reliability, accelerating solar PV, energy productivity and exporting renewables,” Mr Wilder said.

“In the last two years, ARENA has had a significant impact – running the $92 million competitive round for large scale solar, a $36 million demand response trial with AEMO and the NSW Government.

“ARENA has also contributed funding to major pumped hydro feasibility studies, grid scale batteries in Victoria and South Australia and early stage research and development of solar PV and hydrogen.

“We are delighted to welcome our new board members to ARENA, who bring with them many years of collective wisdom drawn from leadership roles across the energy sector and from working in innovative businesses across the country.”

ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht also thanked the outgoing board members for their contributions, and welcomed the new board members.

“ARENA has busy years ahead, with a very promising pipeline of projects ranging from virtual power plants to waste-to-energy projects, so we look forward to working with the new board to power ahead and continue building on what we’ve accomplished over the last six years,” he said.

“ARENA is sitting at the forefront of the transformation of Australia’s energy system, so this is an exciting time for a new board to join us on our journey to accelerate Australia’s smooth transition to a renewable energy future.

“The new board members bring with them expertise in leading innovation in agriculture, biotechnology and the electricity sector so we’re excited.”

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