Closing the workforce gap is a critical step to Australia achieving its emissions reduction targets, with data showing women’s participation in the smart energy industry needs to lift from 39 per cent to at least 50 per cent by 2030.
To achieve this, the Smart Energy Council has developed a Gender Action Plan, including an aim to reach 50 per cent female speakers across the upcoming nation-leading event for the sector, the Smart Energy Council Conference and Exhibition.
Taking place from 9-10 April, 2025 at Sydney’s ICC, the event is free to attend and not to be missed by those looking to gain valuable insights and network with fellow industry professionals on all things renewable energy, cleantech and sustainability.
This year, Sydney’s largest annual renewable energy expo will see over 12,000 delegates, 130+ exhibitors and 300+ speakers.
“Enormous opportunity for women to lead”
Among the incredible speakers is Robyn Cowie, the Stewardship Manager at Smart Energy Council, who is leading Australia’s first solar panel recycling pilot. Lessons from this Queensland-based program will be highlighted at the expo, as well as the critical role urban mining plays in securing the minerals needed for renewables.
Ahead of the expo, Cowie says one of the most exciting trends she’s seeing in the smart energy industry “is the growing number of women leading innovation in developing recycling and reuse technologies”.
By 2043, 143 million solar panels will be decommissioned, containing critical minerals worth up to $30 billion, and Cowie says this issue of “product recovery” is one of the biggest challenges we face in renewable energy.
“Urban mining isn’t just about sustainability- it’s about securing resources for Australia’s future industries,” she says. “There’s an enormous opportunity for women to lead in this space, and Smart Energy 2025 is the perfect place to connect with experts and explore how to get involved.”
The power of shared experience
Another must-see event speaker is CEO of Greenbank, Ria O’Hehir, who leads one of Australia’s oldest environmental traders.
Greenbank assists clients to create environmental certificates across domestic environmental markets in renewables and energy efficiency. Without companies like this, 4 million Australian homes wouldn’t be able to access solar.
“One of the reasons I joined Greenbank was because I wanted to be part of the change—driving it, not just watching it happen,” says O’Hehir, who is “passionate about helping businesses grow, evolve, and truly understand the connection between the retail and wholesale energy markets”.
“Education and insight are powerful tools, and I see my role as bridging that gap—so others are empowered to lead with clarity and confidence,” she says, noting that her motivation for sharing her leadership experience at the Smart Energy Council Expo “comes from a belief in the power of shared experience”.
The renewable energy sector is evolving rapidly, and O’Hehir says we need diverse perspectives for the future of energy and the environment.
“Your voice, your ideas, and your presence matter,” she says, adding that she wants other women thinking of attending the expo to know that there’s power in starting a conversation and speaking with mentors- both women and men- who are “genuinely open to sharing their experience and supporting others”.
Other inspiring speakers that will be at the event include Stephanie Bashir, Founder & CEO, Nexa Advisory, Nicole Wyche, Industry Decarbonisation Manager, WWF and Lauren Hamilton, Head of Marketing, Smart Commercial Solar.
Header image: Robyn Cowie, Smart Energy Council Stewardship Manager at Pan Pacific Recycling, Brisbane (w/ John Hill Pan Pacific Chief Technology Officer).
Sydney’s largest annual renewable energy expo, the Smart Council Conference and Exhibition will take place 9-10 April at the ICC. Whether you’re a smart energy professional, installer, academic, policymaker, or investor, it’s a not-to-be-missed event. To register for free, click here.