The Energy Opportunity in the Hunter

We are standing at the cornerstone of a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The Hunter region has strong ties to coal mining—you'd be hard pressed to find people in the area who don’t have some involvement with the industry.  

I’ve been working in the industry for more than 30 years and during that time, I’ve seen many changes occur and the focus is currently centred on decarbonisation. Mining isn’t going anywhere, but the industry needs to adapt. Rather than changing the pieces completely, we need to change the game. With a strong focus on emissions targets, the emphasis can be placed on exploring renewable energy production, leveraging the region’s infrastructure.  

The Hunter region in NSW is a standout area for this transformation and is already shifting its industrial base to prepare for the energy transition.    

Powering Up The Hunter 

We’ve been long time supporters of thinktank group Beyond Zero Emissions and have backed the idea of Renewable Energy Industrial Precincts both here in the Hunter region NSW and in Gladstone QLD, where Ampcontrol has locations. Based on economic modelling by ACIL Allen, commissioned by BZE and WWF-Australia in 2022) over the next decade a Hunter Renewable Energy Industrial Precinct will unlock:  

• $28B capital investment unlocked in the region  

• 34,000 new ongoing local jobs in manufacturing and service industries  

• $11B revenue generated per year  

• Protecting existing manufacturing jobs by repowering them with renewable energy  

These projections show the growth expected in the region if the transition to new energy occurs. The most recent Federal Election was the energy election—and it’s clear that Australians are focused on what the future of energy looks like here upon our shores. In their latest report, Powering Up The Hunter: getting the region ready for green industrial exports, Beyond Zero Emissions have laid out the work that needs to occur for the energy transition. Findings in the report showed that just 2 of 19 evidence-based indicators across energy systems, industry plans and policy and planning are currently on track.  

They found that 74% of major renewable projects by capacity are stuck in planning with average wait times of five to eight years. The resources, infrastructure, and willingness are there, but there is a lot of red tape in the way that halts the progress.  

A Sustainable Approach 

The energy transition makes both economic sense, and business sense, but it can’t be handled alone. It demands collective problem-solving from the entire value chain to deliver a cleaner future and long-term growth in the Hunter region.  

Businesses across industry, including Ampcontrol, have developed approaches to sustainability in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Ampcontrol has identified six priority SDGs where we can have the most impact, both in our own operations and in supporting our customers.  We know that sustainable businesses embrace long-term, balanced thinking. Balancing our economic, social, and environmental objectives to ensure our business will thrive for future generations.  

Protecting Australian Sovereignty  

We are passionate about keeping manufacturing jobs within Australia and using our smart minds and expertise to develop new energy solutions to support our customers in their decarbonisation efforts.   

Focus needs to be given to continue developing an Australian-made and manufactured supply chain. As a country, we have a strong reliance on the global supply chain which has been impacted by several external issues, including the pandemic and conflict. We need to protect Australian sovereignty, which requires government action—and the best way to receive government action is with a combined approach. 

Alongside keeping jobs within Australia, the push for Australian-made also boils down to an issue of quality. We are seeing the failure of overseas products coming into the market. Not meeting our harsh operating conditions, technical standards and quality standards. Often these products are being built to a price without consideration given to longevity. We don’t want to die for the net zero deadline. There’s no point racing to get there only to be fielding issues because we rushed.  

When we focus on Australian manufacturing, the flow on effect is the creation of jobs. The energy transition is opening a wide range of employment opportunities, and Ampcontrol wants to play a part in helping our community develop the competencies they need to work in this field.    

Powering Skills for Tomorrow 

As a large, advanced manufacturing business focused on the energy transition, we’re seeing a dramatic increase in students pursuing careers in the energy sector, particularly those from Renewable Energy Engineering disciplines. We have the potential and the infrastructure, and it’s up to all of us.       

There are always whisperings that manufacturing and mining jobs are on the decline in the Hunter, but we’re bucking the trend. We’ve seen growth across our business, including our career pathways including our apprentice program, graduates and trainees. We’ve worked closely with educational institutions, industry, and government over the past few years to advocate and advise on the specialised skills and new technology-based training models that will be needed. 

We are really pleased to see the establishment of the new TAFE Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre; this is an essential step forward in building a workforce equipped for a new energy economy and strengthening Australia’s onshore manufacturing capacity.   

We want to see young people succeed. With ResTech, our joint venture with the University of Newcastle that is focused on R&D, we’re seeing more Renewable Energy Engineering students coming through in student placements and our graduate program. We’ve put over 200 young engineers through ResTech, we have more than 130 apprentices, and 20 graduates currently employed. We are active members of the HunterNet Future Leaders Program and have had 45 of our staff graduate from the program over the past 10 years. 

While there are new disciplines needed, there is still a need for more traditional trade skills such as electrotechnology, welding, and fabrication and high-skill need areas, including advanced battery technology, engineering, and mechatronics. These skills are critical to meet the rapidly increasing demand from our customers for solutions that enable decarbonisation and help make net zero a reality. 

Working Together 

We’ve shown what can be achieved in Australia when government, education, and industry work together—collaboration is key.   

Ampcontrol is one of 30 MOU and supporting partners of the Port of Newcastle Clean Energy Precinct which will underpin the development, storage and export pathway of a clean energy economy at the Port, positioning Newcastle and the Hunter as a leader in the production of clean energy.    

We cannot operate in silos, every company doing their own ting. We need to work together, and we need to demand further action from the government on programs such as Future Made In Australia and ensuring CEFC funds are directed to the companies that will be our long-term future. 

Change happens in collaboration, and I’m please to say Ampcontrol is walking the talk. Ampcontrol will be entering into a partnership agreement and MOU with New.E to position the Hunter as a leader in Australia’s new energy future.  

The vision of New.E is to thrive, not survive, by driving excellence in innovation, research, education, production, export, and workforce participation across the new energy value chain. It’s a bold vision, but one I’m certain can be achieved if we work together.   

Together, We Can Challenge The Future 

At the end of June, I’ll be finishing up my time at Ampcontrol following 25 years with the business. Even though I’ll no longer be with Ampcontrol, I remain invested in the region. I’ll continue my work as Deputy Chair of Committee for the Hunter and working within the industry.   

I have no doubt that in the next decade the Hunter Region will be one of the primary manufacturers of energy in Australia. We have the industry smarts and capability to change the way we look at renewable energy manufacturing.  

At Ampcontrol, our vision is to lead the global energy revolution, our purpose for coming to work everyday is to transform the world through collaboration. I don’t only see this as being Ampcontrol but what we can do as a region. Together, we can challenge the future!