The Hunter New Energy Symposium is the  centrepiece of Hunter New Energy Week, delivering high-level insights, strategic discussion and practical perspectives on the transition to a net zero future.

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the FLAGSHIP EVENT of hunter new energy week

THE 2026 HUNTER NEW ENERGY SYMPOSIUM

The Hunter New Energy Symposium remains the centrepiece of Hunter New Energy Week, delivering high-level insights, strategic discussion and practical perspectives on the transition to a net zero future.

Across two days, the Symposium will bring together:

  • Industry leaders and project proponents
  • Government and policy makers
  • Researchers and innovators
  • Investors, supply chain partners and regional stakeholders.

 

Industry Showcase and Tour: Wednesday 27 May – HunterNet  FIND OUT MORE

Networking Event: Wednesday 27 May (evening) – Tower Cinemas Newcastle and will feature a screening of Planet Sun –  UNTIL SOLD OUT

Symposium: Thursday 28 May (full day), Newcastle City Hall

Industry Dinner: Thursday 28 May (evening), Newcastle City Hall.

Moderator and four panelists on stage for Session Two of the Hunter New Energy Symposium, with the panel discussion title visible on the screen.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Full Symposium Package: Just $850 + GST which includes:

✔️ Industry Showcase and Tour (limited availability)
✔️ Welcome Networking Event at Tower Cinemas (limited availability)

✔️ Full-day plenary Symposium
✔️ Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
✔️ Industry Dinner at Newcastle City Hall.

Terms and Conditions apply. See ticketing site for full details.

PROVIDE YOUR FEEDBACK

Every year the Symposium Organising Committee reviews all feedback and adjusts the program of events accordingly. Please provide your input to help shape future Symposiums and associated New Energy Week events.

7:45am Arrival and Registration

Welcome & Overview with Boris Novak, New.E

Showcase Presentations

Depart HunterNet by coach

11:00AM Site visits (with working lunch)

Return to Newcastle, and close of Showcase

5:00pm CLOSE

INDUSTRY SHOWCASE AND TOUR

WED 27 MAY 2026

HUNTERNET AND HUNTER REGION SITE VISITS

SPONSORED BY ATB MORTON

5:00PM Arrival and Registration

Welcome from New.E

Welcome from Event Sponsor

Introduction from Andy Evans, Co-Founder of Happen Energy

6:25PM planEt sun screening

Q&A

Networking Drinks

10:00pm CLOSE

networking EVENT

WED 27 MAY 2026

tower cinemas newcastle

sponsored by Happen Energy

7:30AM Arrival and Registration

8:00AM Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:30AM Session 1: Delivering a New Energy Future - from Commitments to Construction

8:30AM Welcome from Session Chair: Boris Novak, New.E

8:40AM Keynote Speakers:

  • Tony Wood, Grattan Institute
  • Tim Buckley, Climate Energy Finance
  • Hannah McCaughey, EnergyCo

 

9:40AM Panel Discussion: What does successful delivery look like and what will stop us?

Moderator: Bob Hawes, Business Hunter

Panellists:

  • Nadia Truninger, Orica
  • Ildo Agnetti, Port of Newcastle
  • Heather Stevens, City of Newcastle
  • David Cooper, Hall & Willcox

 

10:30AM Keynote Speaker Cr Jeff Drayton, Mayor Muswellbrook Shire Council; Powering the Future Economy

10:45AM MORNING TEA

11:15AM Session 2: Delivering Projects at Scale - Power, Transmission, Fuels, Storage and Industry

11:15AM Panel Discussion: The REZ Delivery Challenge: Turning Momentum into Megawatts

Moderator: Fiona Donaldson, EnergyCo

Panellists:

  • Allison Dunsdon, Transport for NSW
  • Daniel Sartor, Ausgrid
  • John Burke, Transgrid

11:50AM Panel Discussion: The Hunter Advantage: Understanding the Barriers & Challenges to local business participation

Moderator: Amanda Wetzel, Way Planning and Advisory

Panellists:

  • Ian Hudson, ICN
  • Michael Frangos, Indigenous Energy Australia
  • Patrick McInerney, OX2

12:30pM LUNCH

1:10PM Session 3: Delivering the Enabling System - Infrastructure, Policy, Capital and Skills

1:10PM Welcome from Session Chair: Jesse Gartner, GHD

1:15PM Keynote Speakers:

  • Tanya Peterkin, NZEA
  • Seth Pathiyil, Origin Energy
  • Craig Palmer, GHD
  • Ashwin Clarke, CBA

 

2:15PM Panel Discussion: Is the Hunter “system” built for delivery – or still designed for the past?

Moderator: Michael Ulph, GHD

Panellists:

  • Andy Evans, Happen Energy
  • Prof. Alan Broadfoot, University of Newcastle
  • Rob Cooper, AGL
  • Baidy Barton, The Melt

2:50PM AFTERNOON TEA

3:15PM Session 4: Delivering Competitive Advantage - The Hunter as a Leading Global New Energy Region

3:15PM Welcome from Session Chair: Clare Larkin-Sykes, New.E

3:20PM Keynote Speakers:

  • Dr. Paul Ebert, NIER
  • Heidi Lee, BZE
  • Lexi Crouch, City of Newcastle

 

3:45PM Panel Discussion: How can the Hunter out-deliver other regions – and why does this matter?

Moderator: Zara Crichton, HunterIF

Panellists:

  • Sam Wilkins, Hunter Jobs Alliance
  • Pierre Gouhier, University of Newcastle
  • Dani Alexander, NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub
  • George Knight, UEG Energy

4:30PM SYMPOSIUM CLOSE

symposium

THURS 28 MAY 2026

newcastle city hall

6:30PM Arrival

Networking Drinks

7:15PM dinner commences

Welcome

Sponsors Address

ENTREE SERVED

Symposium Reflections

MAIN COURSE SERVED

Closing Remarks

DESSERT SERVED

10:00pm CLOSE

industry dinner

THURS 28 MAY 2026

newcastle city hall

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Full Symposium Package: Just $850 + GST which includes:

✔️ Industry Showcase and Tour (limited availability)
✔️Welcome Networking Event at Tower Cinemas (limited availability)

✔️ Full-day plenary Symposium
✔️ Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
✔️ Industry Dinner at Newcastle City Hall.

Terms and Conditions apply. See ticketing site for full details.

PROVIDE YOUR FEEDBACK

Every year the Symposium Organising Committee reviews all feedback and adjusts the program of events accordingly. Please provide your input to help shape future Symposiums and associated New Energy Week events.

platinum symposium sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Session Sponsors

Individual session sponsorships currently available for 3 of the 4 day sessions.
Please download the Prospectus for more information.

networking EVENT sponsor

industry dinner sponsor

LUNCH sponsor

Morning Tea Sponsor

SECURITY PARTNER

exhibitors

new.e patrons

Foundation Partner

Supporting Partners

SPONSOR OR EXHIBIT AT THE SYMPOSIUM

There are a range of sponsorship opportunities available for the 2026 Symposium, including Platinum, Gold, and Session sponsorships, as well as ownership of the coffee cart and other networking components.

The exhibition presents an excellent opportunity for new and established energy solution providers and stakeholders to showcase their projects, technologies and services to a highly engaged and relevant market. For just $2,000 exhibitors receive:

  • Single exhibition table
  • Table space includes 2 x seats, access to power and full
    creative licence to utilise the space
  • 1 delegate ticket (Full Symposium Package)

Please download the Prospectus or contact Merran Wiggins merran@hunternet.com.au, 0414 599 636 for more information.

Note: Packages sold out in 2025 so please indicate early if you are interested.

2025 Hunter New Energy Symposium Highlights.
Videography by www.iheartproductions.com.au

SEE THe HNES2025 HIGHLIGHTS

Check out our highlights video (left) or visit the 2025 Symposium page to see how the event unfolded last year.