The Government is pleased to announce the appointment of six new members to the board of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
The new board members have the necessary experience and skills to guide ARENA in its role of improving the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies, increasing the supply of renewable energy in Australia and its broadened remit to support energy efficiency and low emissions technology through both debt and equity products.
The appointments follow our announcement to retain and reinvigorate ARENA and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) as part of our strong commitment to supporting jobs and innovation through investment in clean and renewable energy in Australia.
The new board will also, in collaboration with the CEFC, jointly manage the $1 billion Clean Energy Innovation Fund to support emerging technologies make the leap from demonstration to commercial deployment.
We are promoting innovation and new economic opportunities, enhancing our productivity, protecting our environment and reducing emissions to tackle climate change.
Mr Martijn Wilder AM, will serve as the new Chair of ARENA. Head of Baker and McKenzie’s Global Environmental Markets Practice, his other roles include Adjunct Professor of Climate Change Law at the Australian National University and an Affiliate of the Cambridge Centre for Climate Change Mitigation Research at the University of Cambridge.
Mr Wilder also sits on the Board of the CEFC, and his appointment will promote close joint working arrangements between the two agencies on the Clean Energy Innovation Fund.
Ms Maria Atkinson AM, Ms Susan Jeanes, Mr Jonathan Jutsen, Ms Meg McDonald and Dr Katherine Woodthorpe will also take up new roles on the board of ARENA.
Ms Atkinson, AM is a director of Maria Atkinson Consultancy. She was awarded a Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to the construction and real estate sector, particularly as a leader and contributor to environmentally sustainable building development in Australia.
Ms Susan Jeanes is a Principal at Jeanes Holland and Associates, which assists companies that are developing and promoting the goals of sustainability, particularly in the emerging renewable energy sector.
Mr Jonathan Jutsen is the Chair of the Australian Alliance to Save Energy and has been a leading figure in Australia and internationally in the energy efficiency and carbon management field for over three decades.
Ms Meg McDonald is a director of National Corporate Analysis with experience in strategy and execution in complex policy and issues-rich environments. She was formerly the Chief Operating Officer of the CEFC and the Chief Executive Officer of Low Carbon Australia Limited.
Dr Katherine Woodthorpe is an experienced non-executive director, serving on boards ranging from ASX-listed companies to research institutions and government entities for nearly 20 years. An experienced venture capitalist, she was the Chief Executive of the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association Ltd between 2006 and 2013.
On behalf of the Government, I congratulate the new board members on their appointments and thank the former board members for their service.
(ENDS)