The Energy Charter

👏 We wanted to say a final thank you to our Customer and Community Outcomes Group members, our Lived Experience Panels, Independent Chairs and Administrator, End-User Consultative Group, together with the Energy Charter Signatories, Collaborators and Supporters for your continued support and active participation on the #BetterTogether initiatives and Communities of Practice to address the energy transition and energy equity.     By working #BetterTogether and leading the way, we can continue to put customers and communities at the centre of the energy system. 🍃    We will be taking a short break from 23 December and will be back on 6 January 2024. 🎉 Have a safe and happy end to the year and see you in the new year! 🎄🎄    #Customer #Community #BetterTogether #Collaboration #Energy

💡 When it happens to you, know what to do. ⚡     For people using medical equipment at home, a power outage can be life threatening. Every person using medical equipment at home needs to be ready for a power outage.    That’s why, together with our collaborators, Life Support Panel and the community, we’ve co-developed a new national campaign to help people using medical equipment in the home to prepare for an unplanned power outage. We’re asking people to ‘Check, Plan, Do’:    ✅ Check the ‘Power Outage Checklist’  ✅ Plan ahead with your support people by completing your ‘Power Outage Plan’ and share it with those who you’ll rely on for help in your community.  ✅ So when the power goes out, you’ll know what to do.  Get started here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gzxNH5Kd    We’re testing this important campaign over the summer months, and we’d like people to use the site so we can make sure it’s optimised for the full national launch.     You can help us to spread the word by sharing with your networks, and with anyone you know who uses medical equipment in their home. Let’s get ready, together.    #PowerOutagePlan #CheckPlanDo #KnowWhatToDo 

It’s been a huge year for the Energy Charter. In fact, it’s been a huge year for the energy sector. As we round out 2024, we wanted to share a snapshot of the amazing collaborative work achieved thanks to our Consumer + Community Outcome Group members, Lived Experience Panel members, Energy Charter Signatories, Collaborators and Supporters.    Some of our 2024 highlights:    💲 1 in 5 Australians saw our “Keep the Money. It’s Yours” Energy Concessions Awareness + Engagement Campaign.    🔌 We co-developed a fantastic resource hub to help the community understand electricity transmission development and undergrounding.    ☀️ 10+ Renewable developers and transmission businesses signed up to the Wimmera Southern Mallee Collaboration Framework to ensure that the region benefits directly from the shift to clean energy.    📈 The Energy Charter grew 50% across the supply chain, including renewables.    🎧 We supported 8+ emPOWER Podcast episodes tailormade for the people driving the energy transition on the ground in regional Australia    📢 We are co-designing 2 major national campaigns for power outage planning in extreme weather for both Life Support Customers + all Australians    A heartfelt 🩷 thank you to everyone who worked to drive real and meaningful change in the energy sector. As the energy transition accelerates, the need to put people at the heart of every decision through deeper collaboration has never been more critical. Collective action rooted in energy equity truly drives positive change.    Read the full Energy Charter 2024 disclosure: https://lnkd.in/grZY9Svf

Building trust: The power of collaboration | Register for the 4th National Landholder and Community Engagement Training 🚜 https://lnkd.in/gvH2Wr24 📆 Mark your calendar for 4-6 March 2025 and join us in Traralgon, Victoria – in the Gippsland Region at the heart of Australia’s energy transition. This unique, immersive training is designed for those working with landholders and communities on renewable energy projects. It's your chance to enhance your skills, build stronger relationships and create better shared value outcomes. What you can expect: 👂 Hear from Landholders + Community: Gain direct insights into what’s working, what builds trust, and opportunities to improve 🛠️ Build your Toolkit for Trust: Learn practical tools and strategies to foster collaboration and trust 💭 Expand Your Know-How: Gather actionable strategies for route and site selection, empowering you to more effectively collaborate with landholders and communities 📝 Learn from Leaders: Dive into lessons learned from experienced land agents and community engagement leaders and discover how to elevate landholder + community voices to decision-makers 🚌 Explore Gippsland: A full-day field trip will showcase the real energy transition in action, set against the stunning backdrop of Gippsland’s landscape. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/gvH2Wr24 #LandholderTraining #CommunityEngagement #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #Landholders #Communities

It’s a wrap for the Knock to Stay Connected Customer Code 2024! 🙌   Our final meeting this week highlighted once again the power of collaboration in keeping customers connected to their energy supply. Energy retailers offer a wide range of support for customers facing payment difficulties – from hardship programs and payment extensions to practical energy-saving tips.    🚶♂️➡️ In a joint effort, retailers and networks are hand-delivering crucial information to customers, making sure they know where to turn for help – encouraging them to get in touch with their retailer as well as sharing other community and government supports.    A huge shout-out to the community advocates who’ve been part of this journey from the start! Along with industry, you jumped right in on the co-design of the Knock to Stay Connected Customer Code. Your insights and dedication help us stay focused on the real challenges facing vulnerable customers through our regular “Customer Moments”.    📝 Our recent survey shows we’re making progress, but there’s still work to be done. We’re taking those learnings into 2025 and will keep refining the Customer Code to meet our shared goal: keeping everyone connected and supported.    Together, we’re building a more connected, resilient energy future.    A massive thank you to:  👏 Knock to Stay Connected Customer Code Chair, Anthony Cooper  👏 Mathew O’Brien, Lynne Watson and Mark Mason, Anglicare Tas Inc  👏 Eirene Tsolidis Noyce, Consumer Action Law Centre, Victoria  👏 Brent Savage, Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Western Australia  👏 Jane Pires and Jeremy Inglis, Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland (EWOQ) 👏 Thea Bray, Justice and Equity Centre (formerly the Public Interest Advocacy Centre), New South Wales  👏 Georgina Morris, SACOSS (South Australian Council of Social Service)    💙 #BetterTogether #EnergySupport #KnockToStayConnected 

🌟 Every year we recognise Energy Charter Champions of Change who have gone over and above in their commitment to customers and communities in alignment with Energy Charter Values. Huge congratulations to: 🎉 Be Invested, Make a Difference: Andrea Linsenmeier, EnergyAustralia 🎉 Be Open, Learn and Improve: Lucy Holder, AusNet 🎉 Think Big, Be Bold: Chris Sounness, Wimmera Southern Mallee Development These amazing folk were nominated by their peers nationally based on the leadership they have shown in the Energy Charter and dedication to driving better outcomes for customers and communities. 👏 Let’s celebrate our Energy Charter Champions of Change! Hip hip hooray! #Customer #Community #Change #Champions #BetterTogether

Reflecting on an inspiring Energy Charter: Review + Reflect Workshop! 🌟   Today our Energy Charter Signatories gathered at SA Power Networks in Adelaide for a full day of connection, collaboration and co-designing the future of the Energy Charter. Together, we celebrated the successes of 2024 and set the foundation for impactful initiatives in 2025. Key moments from the day:  🌟 Words of Inspiration from Seán Mc Goldrick, Chair CEO Council and CEO TasNetworks   🚀 Reflecting on our Strategic Roadmap 2023–2025   🤝 Exploring accountability, transparency and collaboration opportunities  💭 Co-designing #BetterTogether initiatives focused on energy equity and the energy transition ✅ Wrapping up with words of wisdom from Andrew Bills, CEO SA Power Networks and followed by a dinner tonight, celebrating our Champions of Change 🏆 🌟 A special thank you to all the amazing attendees who made the day impactful including: Mike Cole, Essential Energy  Rebecca Carter, SA Power Networks  Miranda Wood, ACEREZ (#BT Collaborator)  Darrin Crompton, CS Energy  Kate McCue, Endeavour Energy (NSW)  Andrea Linsenmeier, EnergyAustralia  Louisa Frome, Horizon Power, Gerard Reilly, Powerlink Queensland   Wendy Miller, Powerlink Queensland  Eleonore Bridier, Powerlink Queensland   Trish Marinozzi, Transgrid  Sabiene Heindl, Energy Charter CEO  Bec Jolly, Director Energy Equity  Heather Wagland, Director Energy Transition  Martine Holberton, Director Renewables  Fiona Ivits, Communications & Community Manager Anne Whitehouse, Independent Customer Code Administrator 🙌 Thank you all for your enthusiasm, collaboration and commitment to putting customers and communities at the heart of everything we do. Let’s carry this momentum forward into 2025! #EnergyCharter #BetterTogether #HumanCenteredLeadership #EnergyTransition #Collaboration

🎧 New emPOWER episode out now: Building Bridges in Your Community: Insights on Local Engagement with John Carey 📢     In this episode, Wendy Agar sits down with John Carey, Stakeholder Engagement Manager (Southern Queensland) at Stanwell Corporation Limited. With over 16 years of experience in energy and mining, his experience includes engaging with landowners who have experienced three different major energy projects in his home community in the South Burnett region of Queensland. John shares his reflections on engaging authentically for the long term in his home community. He offers insights on:  ➡️ Building long-term relationships with the community  ➡️ The keys to earning and maintaining trust  ➡️ Delivering genuine, impactful engagement  ➡️ Navigating the intricacies of working in a region you call home 💭 John also leaves engagement practitioners with an important challenge: "Are you an ‘owner’ or a ‘renter’ in your community’s projects?" Join us for a thoughtful discussion about the unique challenges and rewards of being deeply embedded in your community’s journey through the energy transition. Listen here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gf2grnjX or on your favourite podcast app. Brought to you by Wendy Agar, Engaged Outcomes and proudly supported by the Energy Charter 🌿 #emPOWERPodcast #EnergyTransition #RegionalAustralia #CommunityEngagement

A customer-led approach to help customers avoid disconnections💡    Last week, Bec Jolly, our Director, Energy Equity joined Lesley Walker from Synergy, Evette Smeathers from Horizon Power and Lisa Post from TasNetworks at the Energy Retail Excellence. As many parts of the community face cost-of-living pressures, the panel discussed the approaches being taken by energy organisations across Australia to support customers experiencing financial hardship. 🏡 We heard about the Knock to Stay Connected Customer Code - a nationally consistent, customer-led approach aimed at keeping customers connected to their energy. It brings retailers, networks and community organisations together to hand deliver information to customers on where they can get support to keep their energy on. Learn more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/g7xsvDCq Lesley also discussed Synergy’s “connect to stay connected approach,” which helps customers avoid disconnection by encouraging them to get in touch before they’re in financial distress to discuss what support they might need. #CostOfLiving #EnergyEquity #Energy

📢 NEW RESOURCE HUB: Understanding Australian Energy Transmission Projects 💡   We're excited to support the launch of the ‘Understanding Australian Energy Transmission Projects Resource Hub’, created in collaboration with community, agriculture and consumer groups across a series of co-design workshops: https://lnkd.in/gZQJJdhF   As energy and transmission can be a complicated space, these resources have been created to help landholders and community members learn more about underground and overhead transmission projects and decision-making processes. Check out the NEW Resource Hub to discover factsheets and resources on:    ➡ Community engagement in decision-making  ➡ Overhead and underground technologies explained  ➡ Transmission and agriculture  ➡ Transmission and bushfire  ➡ Social and environmental considerations  ➡ Respecting First Nations’ culture and heritage     🔗 Explore the Resource Hub: https://lnkd.in/gZQJJdhF A massive thank you to the amazing collaborators who co-developed these resources: Community Power Agency, Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON), Farm Renewables, Farmers for Climate Action, Gippsland Climate Change Network Inc., Justice and Equity Centre (formerly the Public Interest Advocacy Centre), and RE-Alliance, independent representatives Joy Thomas (Independent Chair Ag + Energy Roundtable) and Rod Stowe (Independent Community Advocate NSW) and in consultation with the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner. Thank you also to WSP in Australia who assisted with technical aspects of electricity transmission. This Resource Hub was supported by the Energy Charter through the #BetterTogether initiative: Evaluating Transmission Undergrounding (https://lnkd.in/gCaMdfWR). #CommunityEngagement #AustralianTransmission #Communities #Landholders #BetterTogether #TransmissionProjects