The CEO of energy utility Stanwell Corp has been asked to step down, continuing what is nearing a clean-sweep at the top of the state-owned utilities since the election of the LNP government in late 2024.
Stanwell quietly announced on Monday that Michael O’Rourke, a 28-year veteran of the company and CEO since 2021, was stepping down because the company needed new leadership at a time of significant change.
“Queensland’s energy sector is undergoing significant change which requires a fresh approach,” the company said in a statement, which was not widely distributed to the media. “As part of this renewal, the Board has formed the view that now is the right time for a leadership transition.”
Renew Economy has reached out to Stanwell to ask what it meant by “significant change”, because the main change that has occurred since the LNP government was elected in 2024 is that there is a lot less change than planned.
The LNP has scrapped the state’s renewable energy targets, abandoned near term emission reduction goals, called in a number of previously approved wind and battery projects, cancelled several, and abandoned a plan to buy 630 electric buses and decided to buy 630 diesel ones instead.
State utilities such as Stanwell, CS Energy and CleanCo have also pulled back from previously flagged equity investments in new renewable and storage projects, although they have continued to write and honour power purchase agreements.
Under O’Rourke, Stanwell had rapidly accelerated its interest in renewable energy projects, with deals announced for the Wambo, Tarong West, Mount Hopeful and Theodore wind projects and more than 4,000 MW of new projects announced.
However, only the Wambo wind project (pictured above) has moved to construction so far, and former Nationals leader and local MP David Littleproud has called on the state government to stop and “call in” the already approved Tarong West project.
Stanwell chair Justin Parer, himself only appointed to the role a year ago, said the board has “temporarily appointed” chief operating officer James Oliver as acting CEO while the process to appoint a permanent CEO is undertaken. He said O’Rourke will assist Oliver during the acting arrangements.
“Stanwell’s operations and strategic priorities remain unchanged, with the organisation continuing to focus on delivering reliable, affordable and sustainable energy for Queensland,” Parer’s statement said.
Parer is the son of former Queensland Liberal senator Warwick Parer, who was also a chair of Stanwell before his death in 2014, and the younger Parer is a former president of Queensland Young Liberals.
Last month, CS Energy appointed Steven Harty as new CEO after the departure of Brian Gillespie in March, Sean McGoldrick was appointed CEO of Powerlink in June, replacing Paul Simshauser who resigned last August, while Craig McCabe was appointed CEO of Energy Queensland in July, replacing Peter Scott.
In the same release, Treasurer and energy minister David Janetzki thanked Michael for his longstanding contribution to Queensland’s energy sector and public service.
“Michael is a highly regarded figure in the energy sector and has made a significant contribution to Stanwell and the Queensland energy sector through the various leadership roles he has held,” Janetzki said. “I wish Michael every success in his future endeavours and know he will be missed.”
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