As part of ongoing work to develop our 2025-2030 pricing and services plan for our NSW gas distribution network, Jemena’s Gas Networks 2050 Advisory Board concluded a program of formal collaboration sessions with Jemena in mid-April. Throughout the sessions participants considered how we best prepare our network for a low-carbon future, as well as how we can support our customers through the energy transition.
Chaired by Rosemary Sinclair AM, the range of views in the room and the passion and energy our Advisory Board members took to the role will now shape our engagement program, where we will hear directly from our customers over the next eighteen months, as we develop our new plan for consideration by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
As leader of the diverse team heading up the price reset program, GM Regulation, Ana Dijanosic, said she was proud to see our people come together for this session - the result of a lot of hard work and a culmination of a seven-month journey with our stakeholders.
“Being involved in the last customer engagement program in support of our price reset for 2020-2025 was a significant career highlight. As we gear up for our next price reset for 2025-2030, we continue our high standard of consultation and engagement and consider the significant role our customers and stakeholders will play as we face into the challenges ahead on this journey, together,” said Ana.
Jemena’s GM of Gas Distribution, Mark Dragar called out the in-person session with the Advisory Board as a real highlight.
“After several months of online collaboration, it was great to get to know our members better in-person – working together on an approach for our 2025-2030 plan, with an eye to the long-term regarding Australia’s energy transformation,” Mark said.
Through his involvement in the last plan for 2020-2025, Mark said he learnt that listening to our customers is not only important, but is critical to the success of the Jemena business, and supports us to manage our assets with care and consideration.
“I know it’s important to hear from our customers so that pricing and services reflect what customers actually want. Our partnership with the Advisory Board has got us really excited about the future, and we aim to do an even better job in this area than in our last price review,” he said.
Another key group being consulted as part of our key voices engagement program are young people. Gas Networks Regulation Manager, Andre Kersting, said, “It’s been fantastic to meet some really switched on young people, who are providing valuable insights on our approach to our 2025-2030 plan, with an eye to a long-term view of Australia’s energy transformation as well.
“Young people will be deeply impacted by the decisions Jemena makes in the next few years, so it's important we include these voices of future generations and meet them where they’re at, so that our pricing and services plan reflects their wants and needs as well,” said Kersting.
