Australian Clean Energy Summit 2026

Michael leads ERM’s Renewable Energy practice for the APAC region and has significant renewable energy sector experience having worked in consulting, manufacturing and project development over the past 20 years, of which 10 years as the Managing Director of an ASX-listed renewable energy company.

Michael has developed and advised solar, battery, wind, hydrogen, microgrid and marine renewables projects across the APAC region involving land acquisition, development, approvals, finance, construction, operation and maintenance. Michael is a former member of the Board of the Australian peak industry body, the Clean Energy Council, Australian Federal Government Energy Whitepaper Committee and has been a regular presenter at conferences, Senate Estimate committees and in the media about the Australian energy market and policies.

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David is a Principal Ecologist and Partner at ERM, with significant renewables sector experience having held state government and private consultancy roles for 30 years. David's academic and research background coupled with experience in biodiversity conservation planning and policy development from state government, has enabled David to provide high level strategic approvals advice for major projects in the renewables sector.

David's experience includes development of approvals documentation, regulator liaison, ecological assessments, listed threatened species mapping, management plans, State and Commonwealth (EPBC Act) approvals for small and large scale solar, BESS and wind farm projects.

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Debbie leads the Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement function for ERM’s ANZ Business Unit. She has a strong background in stakeholder risk and issues management. Debbie is adept at neutralizing risk to protect delivery on large, complex projects while enhancing brand and reputation at project, organizational, departmental and political levels. With significant knowledge and experience, Debbie understands the pathways and processes for stakeholder engagement to assist with project approvals. Debbie has worked on multiple renewable energy and electricity transmission projects, providing strategic advice to developers and state-owned corporations.

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Meg is a passionate business leader in the sustainability field, focused on supporting organizations better manage their ESG business risks & opportunities. Meg’s 28-year career spans roles in Australia, SE Asia, Russia, The Netherlands & Italy, with 16 of her 25 years with ERM as a Partner. In conjunction with her Business Leadership roles, Meg has specialized in environmental & non-technical risk management of major projects, having delivered regulatory approvals, ESHIAs, due diligence & related advisory services to clients in >15 countries. After 5.5 years in South East Asia, Meg relocated from ERM Vietnam back to Sydney in mid-2024 to lead the NSW Capital Project Delivery Team.

Meg regularly leads client engagements for wind, solar and BESS projects and is increasingly supporting ERM’s clients with co-located BESS and Data Centre developments.

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Jenny has over 20 years’ experience delivering major complex and linear infrastructure projects, with a strong focus on large‑scale onshore wind farms and energy developments. She has worked across both the public and private sectors, leading project development, environmental approvals, impact assessments and stakeholder engagement for high‑profile and state‑significant projects. She brings a pragmatic, delivery‑focused approach that ensures approvals strategies are aligned with program and constructability outcomes, and is recognised for building high‑performing, integrated teams that work seamlessly with client organisations.

Jenny brings an astute understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with major infrastructure approvals, including the nuance required to navigate regulator, community and stakeholder engagement. She has deep working knowledge of Commonwealth and State environmental legislation, statutory permitting and approvals processes, impact assessment and compliance, and works closely with project leaders, designers, constructors and regulators to achieve best‑practice, best‑for‑project outcomes.

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Giles is a proven environmental impact assessment practitioner and qualified business leader who delivers complex, high-value projects in Western Australia’s renewable energy and infrastructure sectors. Giles applies more than 15 years of acquired industry experience and tacit knowledge to provide strategic advice and secure state and Commonwealth government environmental approvals focusing on large scale onshore wind farms and energy developments.

Giles assembles and leads multi-disciplinary SME project teams to drive the successful delivery of on time–on budget outcomes, whist effectively navigating evolving regulatory landscapes and diverse stakeholder groups.

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Lucy is a Planning Partner at ERM, with over 35 years of experience in environment planning and assessments in the renewable energy sector, technology sector, manufacturing sector and major infrastructure sector. She has worked in both Public and Private sectors extensively with Commonwealth and NSW environmental legislation for permitting and approvals.

Lucy is a Planning Institute of Australia Registered Environmental Assessment Planner (REAP) in NSW. She is also a Chartered Environmental Engineer and a Fellow of Engineers Australia with extensive experience in the lifecycle of infrastructure projects.

Lucy brings a highly developed leadership which she has gained working in environmentally and community sensitive areas predominantly with Commonwealth and State Government on renewable and transport projects.

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Chris specialises in helping clients navigate the complex environmental, regulatory and stakeholder issues that can determine whether major projects proceed, stall or succeed. Working across renewable energy, transmission and major infrastructure developments, he advises developers, investors and government agencies on approvals strategy, environmental assessment and project delivery, with a focus on improving project certainty and reducing delivery risk.

As Australia's first Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner (REAP), Chris has led approvals and environmental assessments for some of Australia's most significant infrastructure and energy projects. He is recognised for bringing a practical, commercially focused perspective to complex development challenges and for helping clients find workable pathways through increasingly demanding regulatory and stakeholder environments.

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