Enova announces on-target growth and new MD

PRESS RELEASE

As Enova Energy wraps up the 2017 financial year, the strategic forecasts are positive as the company announces positive growth and a new Managing Director.

Tony Pfeiffer, currently a board director of Enova Community Energy, replaces Steve Harris, Co-Founder and CEO on July 1, as Steve steps back into retirement.

Steve’s tenure as CEO was intended to see the company through its capital raise and start-up phase, and Steve came out of retirement to do this because his passion for seeing Enova turn from an idea into a reality was so strong.

Now, as Enova begins its second year in operation, Tony Pfeiffer will step into the role of Managing Director to steer the company through its next important growth and expansion phase.

Tony has more than 34 years of experience in the electricity industry in South Australia and Queensland. One of his most recent roles, before leaving Ergon Energy Queensland has been to lead the Ergon Energy retail business function through the merger of Energex and Ergon Energy and prepare the retail business to become an integral part of the merged Energy Queensland.

“Tony has been an active member of the board since Enova’s inception so we expect his succession into the role to be very smooth,” says Enova Chair Alison Crook.

“Tony’s wealth of knowledge and experience will hold Enova in good stead as we navigate our second year of trading and consider expansion opportunities, in an industry that is quickly transforming,” she says.

Taking Enova into the Future

“I am excited to be taking over the helm at this very interesting time, not just for Enova, but as the energy industry transition gathers steam”, says Tony Pfeiffer. “Having been on board during the start-up phase and now being given the opportunity to take the business to the next level is a fantastic opportunity which I have grabbed with both hands.”

“Enova operates a lean and innovative customer-centric community renewable energy business model. We are already ahead of the game as politicians and big business are just getting set to transition away from fossil fuels.

“We have new initiatives in the pipeline which we will be announcing very soon, and we will continue with our vision of supporting renewable energy projects with the goal of making community renewable energy cheaper, and more readily available.”

“Steve has done a tremendous job getting Enova off the ground, and through its first year. The first 12 months is always the most uncertain time for any business and Steve has built a solid foundation from which Enova can now grow from a fledgling company into one that I believe, will become a key player in the new ‘disrupted’ Australian energy industry,” says Tony Pfeiffer. “Steve intends to travel for some months and then we are hoping that he will re-join us in a consulting role for specific assignments within the business,” he says.

Steve thanked the community for all the support they have given to Enova during the capital raising and development phase. “Without the community behind Enova, none of this would have been possible, says Steve. “The community should be very proud of themselves getting Australia’s first and only community owned retailer operational.” Steve also acknowledges the outstanding team at Enova who have worked tirelessly providing excellent customer service and advice to the people of Northern NSW. “I could not have done it without them,” says Steve.

Enova on-target growth

• Since taking on its first customer in June last year, Enova contracted with more than 3,000 households and businesses.

• Enova Energy Coaches continue to deliver free household energy assessments to people wanting to know how they can reduce their energy consumption and their bills.

• As well as being a leader in offering 12c Feed-in tariff for solar energy, Enova has also developed a unique energy plan supporting the development of renewable energy. The Renewable Development Initiative.

• It has helped Northern Rivers residents to collectively save tens of thousands of dollars by assisting them to access concessions and price reductions on new appliances that are available for some New South Wales residents through various Government schemes.

• The non-for-profit arm, Enova Community continues its work in facilitating community projects such as Red Inc Lismore and Byron Community Centre with several new projects to be announced shortly.