Event Details
04 March 2026
9:00am - 5:30pm
05 March 2026
9:00am - 1:00pm
Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
Organiser: Energy Consumers Australia
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Our 2026 Foresighting Forum has concluded for another year. Check back soon for session highlights!
Foresighting Forum is the only national energy forum centred on the people whose decisions matter most to Australia’s energy future: households and small businesses. The everyday choices they make about how they use, save, generate and pay for energy will shape the success of the energy transition.
Our 2026 forum, held in Sydney in February, included panel discussions, presentations and interactive sessions on accelerating the shift to an energy system that is affordable, clean and reliable, and aligned with the values and expectations of all Australians. Grounded in real consumer experience, the Forum brought together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, researchers and consumer advocates to drive practical, outcome focused discussion.
Download the program
The 2026 program (PDF, 2.73MB) focused on three critical dimensions of the energy transition:
- How can consumer trust and confidence be maintained during the energy transition, particularly amid ongoing cost of living pressures?
- Are we asking the right questions as artificial intelligence and rapid growth in data centre demand add complexity to the energy market?
- How can the sector work together to ensure the experiences of all households and small businesses are visible to decision makers and adequately reflected in policy, regulation and support?
Who's speaking
Keynote speakers
Luis Gonzalez
Chief Data and AI Officer at Aboitiz Power
Robert Gross
Director, UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), and Professor of Energy Policy and Technology at Imperial College London
Harriet Thomson
Professor of Energy, Sustainability and Inequality, University of Glasgow, and Associate Director, Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy
Full speaker list
Our 2026 Foresighting Forum featured a mix of speakers from diverse backgrounds - energy, consumer advocacy, government and more. Access our full speaker list, below.
- Adam Berry | Deputy Director & Professor, UTS Human Technology Institute
- Alexandra Bishop | Executive Manager - Grants, Energy Consumers Australia
- Prof Lachlan Blackhall | Independent Chair, National Energy Public Key Infrastructure
- The Hon Anna Bligh AC | Former Qld Premier & Past Chief Executive Officer, Australian Banking Association
- Ashley Bradshaw | Executive Manager - Analysis & Advocacy, Energy Consumers Australia
- John Cleland | Chief Executive Officer, Essential Energy
- Mark Collette | Chief Executive Officer, Energy Australia
- Adam Collins | Executive Manager - Advocacy & Policy, Energy Consumers Australia
- Kerry Connors | General Manager - Community, Energy Consumers Australia
- Vanessa Davis | Senior Researcher, Tangentyere Aboriginal Council
- Belinda Dennett | Chief Executive Officer, Data Centres Australia
- Ruchika Deora | General Manager - Consumer Energy Solutions, SEC Victoria
- Dr Brendan French | Chief Executive Officer, Energy Consumers Australia
- Luis Gonzalez | Chief Data & AI Officer, Aboitiz Power & Chief Operating Officer Power & Research, Aboitiz Data Innovation
- David Green OBE
- Prof Robert Gross | Executive Director, UK Energy Research Centre
- Tim Jarratt | Group Executive, Market Development & Strategy, Ausgrid
- Trina Jones | NSW Rental Commissioner, NSW Government
- Tim Jordan | Commissioner, Australian Energy Market Commission
- Douglas McCloskey | Program Director - Water & Energy Consumer Advocacy Program, Justice and Equity Centre
- Rob McLeod | Senior Advisor - Policy and Research, Energy Efficiency Council Inc
- Travers McLeod | Chief Executive Officer, Brotherhood of St Laurence
- Lauren Mellor | Clean Energy Communities Program Director, Original Power
- Chris Miller | Chief Executive Officer, SEC Victoria
- Elizabeth Molyneux | Deputy Secretary (Energy), Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, VIC
- Caitlin Perry | Policy Officer, Northern Territory Council of Social Service
- Jane Pires | Ombudsman, Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland
- Simon Quilty | Chief Operating Officer, Wilya Janta
- Brendan Radford | Policy Manager, National Seniors
- Craig Reucassel | Forum MC, Australian writer, comedian and broadcaster
- Stephanie Saill | Head of Energy Transition, Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW
- Clare Savage | Chair, Ausralian Energy Regulator
- Dr Michael Schaper | Chair, Energy Consumers Australia
- James Seymour | Principal Consultant, Apten Advisory
- Brian Spak | General Manager - Advocacy & Policy, Energy Consumers Australia
- Rosie Thomas | Advocate and Consultant
- Prof Harriet Thomson | Professor, Energy, Sustainability & Inequality, University of Glasgow and Associate Director, Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy
- Stephanie Tonkin | Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Action Law Centre
- Leah Tucker | Senior Policy Manager – Energy and Infrastructure, Business NSW
- Erin Turner | Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Policy Research Centre
- Dr Caroline Valente | Executive Manager - Advocacy & Policy, Energy Consumers Australia
- Dominique van den Berg | Chief Executive, Energy Networks Australia
- Patrick Veyret | General Manager - Public Affairs & Strategy, Energy Consumers Australia
- Glen Wingfield | Consumer Advocate
- Lotte Wolff | Executive Manager, Advocacy & Policy, Energy Consumers Australia
- Catherine Wolthuizen | Ombudsman & Chief Executive, Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria
With thanks to our sponsors
Research Showcase Sponsor |  |
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Consumer Advocate Sponsor |  |
Keynote Speaker Sponsor |  |
Networking Function Sponsor |  |
Coffee Cart Sponsor |  |
Terms and conditions
By registering and paying for the Energy Consumers Australia 2026 Foresighting Forum to be held in Sydney NSW on 4 & 5 March 2026 inclusive, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions. (PDF, 177.72KB)
Event Details
04 March 2026
9:00am - 5:30pm
05 March 2026
9:00am - 1:00pm
