Australian renewable energy and 'transition natural gas' company Squadron Energy has secured former Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) Managing Director and CEO Audrey Zibelman on its advisory board as the company seeks to enable rapid decarbonization.
Owned by billionaire Andrew Forrest, Squadron Energy is building the 'largest' renewable energy precinct in the Southern Hemisphere in the form of 1.2 GW Clarke Creek wind, solar and battery farm in Central Queensland, and plans to invest in larger projects (see AUD 3 Billion RE Hub In Queensland).
Among her other illustrious employments, Zibelman is serving on the US government's National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC) after having been the chair on the New York Public Service Commission. She also holds the position of vice president at X, the Alphabet Moonshot Factory of Google where she advises on breakthrough climate technology, including Tapestry which is a project to digitize the electricity grid.
A non-executive board member of the Rocky Mountain Institute's (RMI) Board of Trustees and US batter maker EOS Energy, Zibelman will provide Squadron Energy 'valuable strategic advice' as the company's business evolves.
"Audrey is among the energy industry's most experienced and respected global leaders. She has worked tirelessly to make energy cleaner, reliable and affordable for consumers," said Squadron Energy CEO Eva Hanly.
Accepting the welcome, Zibelman stated, ""Rapid decarbonization can be achieved, and we need innovative businesses like Squadron Energy to help lead the change. Squadron Energy has a significant portfolio of infrastructure assets in development that will support the energy system's transition to renewable sources."
Squadron Energy said in the coming months it will be making further announcements about appointments to the advisory board.
This high profile appointment follows that of the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia Dr Guy Debelle as the CFO of another Andrew Forrest company in the space of green hydrogen, Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) in March 2022, followed by the appointment of Former President and CEO of GE Dr Mark Hutchinson as FFI's CEO from 2022-end (see Australia's FFI Announces Leadership Reshuffle).