Australia Govt: Leadership changes at the Energy Security Board

Chair of the Energy Security Board (ESB), Dr Kerry Schott AO, has chosen to step aside after leading the board for 4 years.

The Hon Angus Taylor MP, Minister Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, said Dr Schott led the ESB with distinction. She served as a trusted source of advice and support for Energy Ministers as they worked on reforms for the post-2025 electricity market.

‘Dr Schott has been an excellent leader who has shaped the project to reform our electricity market to make sure it can continue to deliver secure, reliable and affordable electricity across the country beyond 2025,’ Minister Taylor said.

Minister Taylor also thanked former deputy chair David Swift for his exemplary work at the ESB.

Under the changes to the ESB, the board will be reduced from 5 members to 3.

The new chair will be Anna Collyer, who is also Chair of the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC). Ms Collyer will lead the board as it restructures and takes on responsibility for implementing aspects of the electricity market reforms agreed to by Energy Ministers.

Ms Collyer has more than two decades of experience in the Australian energy sector and has worked extensively on industry reform.

‘I look forward to continuing to work with Ms Collyer and fellow ESB members Clare Savage and Daniel Westerman as they progress implementation of critical market reforms,’ Minister Taylor said.

‘Pivoting the Energy Security Board to implementing the Post-2025 market design project will ensure Australia’s energy markets remain secure, reliable and affordable in the face of unprecedented change throughout the energy sector.’