SA Power Networks, the grid company likely to be the first to deal with 100 per cent wind and solar penetration on a gigawatt scale, has appointed the head of one Australia’s biggest coal generators to be its new CEO.
SAPN says Andrew Bills, the head of Queensland government owned CS Energy, will replace the long-serving Rob Stobbe who is stepping down after 13 years and overseeing the grid management of one of the world’s most remarkable transitions from coal and gas to predominantly wind and solar.
The network company says it has already become the first local network to operate with rooftop solar delivering the equivalent of all its local demand needs, and it expects 100 per cent renewables to become the norm.
It finds itself at the forefront of the management of grids with high penetrations of rooftop solar, and has been trialling new innovations such as “flexible exports” and “orchestration” of distributed energy assets.
“Bills has been appointed to head SA Power Networks as it continues to lead the transition to a net-100 per cent renewable energy system in South Australia,” the company said in a statement on Monday. SAPN is owned by Cheung Kong Group and Spark Infrastructure.
At CS Energy, Bills was responsible for managing assets such as Kogan Creek, the country’s biggest coal generator (in unit size rather than plant size), as well as a portfolio including the Callide C coal generator that exploded in spectacular fashion in 2021
“Andrew will bring extensive energy industry experience to the business given his incredibly strong background in retailing, energy markets and generation, including renewables,” said SAPN chairman Peter Tulloch.
“We made a very thorough and rigorous search for the right person to lead SA Power Networks and Andrew made an impressive presentation regarding the future of energy.
“I know he is very excited by the way in which SA Power Networks has been pioneering changes in the way the electricity distribution network is managed to support the transition to a renewables-based and customer-driven energy system.”
Bills noted that South Australia is at the forefront of renewables in Australia and that SA Power Networks has a key role to play in the energy transition. The last coal generator closed in South Australia in 2016, and the state is expected to reach net 100 per cent renewables in 2026 or 2027, after a new link to NSW is completed.
Tulloch also praised the leadership of Stobbe.
“Andrew has big shoes to fill as Rob has carved an incredible career in energy over many years that is respected across Australia.,” he said.
“The Board extends its deepest thanks to Rob. He has been a leader with a clear objective of ensuring customers and the SA community are at the heart of how SA Power Networks goes about its business. We wish him and his wife Prue all the best as they enjoy his well-deserved retirement.”
