The electricity markets in Australia and globally are facing the challenges of a transition from traditional generation to increasing amounts of more intermittent forms of generation such as solar and wind.
During this transition supply security becomes increasingly important.
Hunter Energy has been formed by a group of experienced and successful energy industry executives and entrepreneurs to build an energy supply portfolio that can support this transition.
Hunter Energy will look at acquiring existing generation assets particularly those that can meet the requirements for supporting the security of supply and with a focus on using fuel sources that provide a secondary benefit of using waste or non reusable products such as:
Coal tailings that would otherwise be dumped
Waste mine gases
Waste wood products
Refuse waste
Hunter Energy will then integrate renewable energy such as grid solar and dispatchable technology such as grid batteries into its portfolio as the electricity transition continues.
Hunter Energy has reached agreement to acquire the existing Redbank Power station currently in care and maintenance mode as its first project.
Energy in Transition
Hunter Energy is developing a model at the heart the energy transition from coal, to a reduced emission environment whilst maintaining the system reliability needed.
Initially the Redbank plant will be refired and recommissioned in its existing form but with the goal of less emissions. Where practical we will use mine waste tailings that reduce the environmental impacts of dumping mine waste whilst always managing and reducing, where possible, Carbon emissions.
Following restart Hunter Energy will complete a feasibility study on the integration of biomass by introducing waste wood products into the fuel mix. This is predicted to reduce the emission intensity of the plant whilst solving a waste issue.
The Redbank site has a valuable pre-existing grid connection and switchyard which allows integration of new sources of electricity including from solar. Scoping studies have already been undertaken for a grid scale solar plant situated on the adjoining used coal mine lands.
With the pre-existing grid connection and its location among other key generation assets this site is also well situated for the installation of a grid scale storage battery, potentially NSW’s first. Providing stability to the proposed solar plant and supplying grid services to the market.
Key People
James Myatt – Chief Executive Officer
James Myatt – Chief Executive Officer
James is a seasoned energy executive with over 35 years experience in the Australian and International energy markets. James was Co-founder of Australian Power & Gas (APG) which grew to rev of $480m, sold to AGL in 2013. APG was awarded Australia’s fastest growing company in 2010 & 2011. He was Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012. Co-founder of Entrust Energy (US) awarded 47th fastest growing company in the USA in 2015 with current rev in excess of $200m.
Co-founder of digitally focussed Mojo Power. James has previously worked for major energy utilities including AGL, Energy Australia and US listed energy companies Duke Energy and Texas Utilities (TXU). He has worked across all areas of the energy value chain including asset development in power and gas as well as wholesale and retail markets.
Arthur Phillip Advisory
Arthur Phillip Advisory
Arthur Phillip Advisory has developed and supported the development of a raft of successful start up businesses. Through its Principal Richard Poole Arthur Phillip has built a diversified portfolio of successful projects and companies including mining, energy, media and online both in Australia and internationally. Richard has worked with James Myatt for over a decade to build and develop Australian Power & Gas (selling to AGL) and is Co-founder, funder and Executive Strategic and Operations Director of Entrust Energy, creating partnerships and working with Shell Energy North America and Nippon Gas (Japan).
Warren Kember – Chief Financial Officer
Warren Kember – Chief Financial Officer
Formerly CFO of Dingo Blue Telecom and Australian Power and Gas with revenues of $480m. Manages budgeting and modelling of Hunter Energy including back end systems.
Former Staff
Former Staff
Hunter Energy has received interest and is engaged in discussions with key former operational staff who have confirmed their desire to return to the plant.
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