Queensland renewables sector partners with WISER network to drive renewables targets

• QREC and WISER join forces for the state’s transition to 80% renewable energy by 2035

• WISER is a network of women in renewable energy, mining and energy storage

• Women’s participation as change agents can accelerate the energy transformation

Special Report: Queensland’s Renewable Energy Council (QREC) is partnering with Women In Sustainable Energy & Resources (WISER) network to ensure women are encouraged and supported to join and lead the State’s transition to 80% renewable energy by 2035.

WISER is a network of women in renewable energy, mining and energy storage in Queensland run by QEM's (ASX:QEM)  Joanne Bergamin.

The not-for-profit was established by a group of like-minded women keen to increase representation in the sustainable energy and resources industries.

Bergamin said the network strategically partners with organisations and associations such as QREC, which share its focus on sustainability and actively supporting women in the industry.

“Like QREC, WISER is committed to a partnership-based approach for the clean-energy transition, fuelled by a diverse workforce,” she said.

Women as change agents

QREC CEO Katie-Anne Mulder said there were enormous opportunities emerging for all Queenslanders, including women, in the growth of clean energy across the state.

Mulder acknowledged the historical male dominance in the energy industry globally but emphasised that, as noted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), leveraging women’s participation as change agents can accelerate the energy transformation.

“This partnership with WISER is very timely as QREC works with its members – including owners, investors, developers, suppliers and service providers for renewable energy projects – on requirements for their project pipeline,” she said.

“The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan has projected 64,000 jobs to build the SuperGrid and 36,000 more jobs across key sectors of the economy by 2040, with most positions based in regional Queensland.”

Not to mention, noted Mulder, there are strong synergies between QREC members’ efforts and WISER’s priorities to shape their members’ futures through professional development, mentorship, and support, while driving gender balance and strong representation for women in leadership positions in renewables.

Network of female leaders

From graduates to senior leaders WISER provides opportunities to network, learn, celebrate, and share ideas, with the committee comprised of female leaders who are all volunteers from industry, government and higher education.

Last year, Bergamin herself was promoted to QEM’s director of communications and sustainability to reflect her increased responsibilities in ESG reporting over the prior 12 months.

QEM is focused on developing its Julia Creek vanadium project in Queensland, which is one of the world’s largest deposits of the metal that forms the key component of the electrolyte used in vanadium flow batteries.

The company is also working with the University of Queensland and successfully recycling vanadium from industrial waste.

QEM fully supports Bergamin to develop and grow the WISER network, seeing the value of more gender diversity in resources.