Powering Progress: 250 women from the field unite to shape NSW’s energy future

Held in Sydney on Tuesday 9 September and themed Connect. Energise. Thrive., the conference will celebrate the growing presence and impact of the many talented women who are making remarkable contributions within the energy sector in NSW. These extraordinary women are flourishing in traditionally male-dominated roles - from apprentices and engineers to senior leaders and field operators.

As NSW transitions to renewable energy, these women are powering change, providing safe and reliable electricity to millions of homes and businesses across NSW, and delivering critical infrastructure to support the state’s clean energy future.

The conference will explore how women in field-based roles can drive inclusive collaboration and collectively take steps towards a working environment where everyone can thrive. This includes challenging stereotypes and biases, supporting career development, encouraging male allies, and raising awareness of the benefits of gender equity, to leave a lasting legacy for the next generations.

Quotes attributable to:

Ausgrid Group Executive People and Culture, Celina Cross: “Ausgrid is focused on unlocking the potential of women across our business, amplifying their voices and creating a genuinely inclusive culture. Women now represent 20.2% of Ausgrid’s 3,100-strong workforce, with 20.9% of management roles and 28% of our apprentice field roles held by women. We’re embracing the opportunity Women from the Field presents to foster open conversations and build a more inclusive workplace across the sector. This event is the ideal forum to foster open conversations about issues that truly matter to women.”

Endeavour Energy Chief Data, People & Sustainability Officer, Melissa Irwin: “This is more than a conference, it’s a movement. We’re seeing a powerful shift in the industry, and this event is about amplifying the voices of women who are leading that change. Innovation thrives when people with different perspectives feel safe to share ideas and be heard. We’re proud to have achieved at least 50% female representation in our apprentice intakes for the last 3years. This event is about creating stronger connections, welcoming difference, and empowering the diversity of talent in our people.”

Essential Energy Chief Operations, People and Safety Officer, Amalie Smith: “We’re incredibly proud of the women at this conference and across our entire business driving innovation and collaboration throughout regional, rural and remote New South Wales. The rapid pace of the energy transition requires diverse thinking and lived experience to embrace the complex opportunities ahead. Women in operational roles are critical to shaping the network of the future and to addressing the current skills gap as we continue to build a smarter, safer and more inclusive energy future.”

Transgrid Executive General Manager of Delivery, Jennifer Hughes: “Transgrid is delighted to join our distribution network partners to celebrate the remarkable contribution many talented women are making to the state’s energy sector.

“After 17 years working in the energy sector including as an electrical engineer, I am proud to see the real cultural shift underway in our industry helping women flourish in traditionally male-dominated roles.

“Transgrid offers an inclusive, diverse and family-friendly workplace, with many opportunities for women at all levels across our organisation.

“Women now make up 30 percent of our workforce and we are working hard to achieve even greater gender equality, with a range of successful initiatives driving further change and more career pathways for women.

“The biggest challenge of our times - the massive shift to renewable energy in NSW - calls for nothing short of full participation by women in all parts of the electricity industry.”

For media information, to arrange and interview or obtain photos, contact:

Endeavour Energy: Vida Cheeseman, 0410 597 547, vida.cheeseman@endeavourenergy.com.au

Transgrid: Mark Nolan 0429 047 136

Quick Facts:

About Ausgrid:

Ausgrid is the largest electricity distributor on Australia's east coast, providing safe, reliable and affordable energy to millions of homes and businesses every day.

As a leader in energy distribution, Ausgrid is on a mission to make the benefits of the transition accessible to all our customers, while delivering a grid that supports and powers the needs of today and the future.

Women now represent 20.2% of the Ausgrid workforce, with 20.9% of people leader roles held by women. In terms of women in field roles, this is 4.8% and 28% of apprentices are women.

Ausgrid is proud to service Sydney, the Hunter and Central Coast, and support the communities they’re a part of.

About Endeavour Energy

Endeavour Energy is one of Australia’s most efficient and fastest growing electricity networks, delivering safe, reliable, sustainable and affordable electricity to 2.7 million people living and working in NSW. This includes building, managing and maintaining the electricity network spanning over 25,000km from the border of the Central-West Orana REZ region to the Blue Mountains, Greater Western Sydney, Southern Highlands, the Illawarra and South Coast of NSW.

Endeavour Energy is committed to decarbonising the grid by 2035 and is leading Australia’s energy industry in integrating traditional and renewable energy sources to deliver a smarter, cleaner, affordable and more reliable energy system, with clear commitments and pathways to creating sustainable value for customers and communities.

Key facts:

• Around 20% of Endeavour Energy’s workforce are women; and there is continued focus on increasing gender diversity in male-dominated roles, through inclusive culture and development practices. This includes:
• improving gender equity within our apprentice intake - having achieved at least 50% female representation in our apprentice intakes for 3 years, females now make up 52% of our apprentice workforce, while internships and graduate programs have reached gender equality too.
• removing outdated barriers to career progression through flexible work and parental leave policies
• reducing the gender pay gap to 5.6% which is the lowest in the electricity distribution sector and significantly below the Australian private sector average of 12.1%.
• Women hold 50% of executive and senior leadership roles, ensuring women have a voice in decision-making at the highest levels.
• In 2022, Endeavour Energy proudly became certified as a Family Friendly employer.

About Essential Energy:

Essential Energy builds, operates and maintains one of Australia’s largest electricity distribution networks, servicing over 900,000 customers across regional, rural and remote communities.

The network footprint covers 95 per cent of New South Wales and parts of southern Queensland, traversing 737,000 square kilometres of diverse landscape from the desert to the coast, across alpine to sub-tropical.

Delivering safe and reliable electricity for our communities is at the core of what we do, while actively supporting the energy transition through enabling the connection of renewables on the network.

Essential Energy’s footprint includes 1.4 million power poles.

Essential Energy recognises the significant contribution of women across the energy industry in creating a safer, more sustainable future for communities across NSW. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities in which we live and work.

• Endorsed by WORK180 as an Employer for All Women for four consecutive years
• Ranked #5 in Australia’s Top 101 Workplaces for Women
• Recipient of multiple WORK180 Equitable Workplace Awards, including Pay Equity, Flexible Arrangements, and Large Enterprise in Mining Resources & Energy
• Women make up:
  • 20.95% of total workforce
  • 22.27% of leadership roles
  • 39.22% of senior leadership
  • 42% of Executive Leadership Team (3 out of 7 members)
• Programs include Women from the Field, Women in Leadership Network, and Female Apprentice & Trainee Support Pack
• Flexible work, gender-neutral paid parental leave, and dedicated support for female and First Nations apprentices

About Transgrid:

Transgrid operates the high-voltage transmission network in NSW and the ACT, comprising more than 13,000km in transmission lines and 128 substations. The network provides power to more than three million homes and businesses. 

Transgrid is also delivering the critical transmission infrastructure to support Australia's renewable energy transition including the EnergyConnect, HumeLink and VNI West projects.

Key facts:

• Women make up 30% of Transgrid’s total workforce, up from 19.5% in 2017
• 40% of Transgrid’s senior leadership roles are occupied by women
• Women make up 20% of traditionally male-dominated trades and operations, more than double the 9% eight years ago
• 40% of Transgrid’s graduates and apprentices are women
• Transgrid’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Women encourages women to explore electrical trades with a ‘try before you buy’ experience
• University scholarships for women in STEM support women to pursue studies and careers in engineering and technology, and help build the future talent pipeline
• Transgrid’s employee-led Energise network advocates for gender equality and builds greater connections and a sense of belonging. It includes a Women in the Field support hub with resources including a peer-curated safe and clean accommodation database, access to camping toilets, and inclusive PPE for pregnant women
• 20 weeks of paid parental leave is available for employees of any gender taking on primary career responsibility within two years of having a child. This program levels the playing field for men and women in home and work life, with males making up 67% of those taking parental leave.