ISP Consumer Panel
The role of the ISP Consumer Panel is to bring a consumer-focused perspective to the ISP development process. AEMO will engage with the ISP Consumer Panel on a continuous and ongoing basis, seeking advice and input on matters of both substance and process. Such engagement supports the Panel’s timely consideration of issues and feedback to AEMO, allowing for AEMO’s approach to be adjusted where appropriate.
As part of its work, the ISP Consumer Panel will provide two reports to AEMO, as required by the National Electricity Rules. These reports will provide an assessment of the evidence and reasons supporting AEMO’s conclusions in the IASR and Draft ISP, having regard to the long-term interests of consumers.
Craig Memery
Craig Memery is an energy consumer and community advocate with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s Energy and Water Consumer Advocacy Program. He is also a Board member at Energy and Water Ombudsman of NSW, Co-chair of the NSW Renewable Energy Sector Board, a member of the AEMC’s Reliability Panel, and sits on a number of other advisory and representative committees.
Since joining the energy sector in 2002, Craig has: managed demand- and supply-side energy projects; provided economic, technical and policy advice to government, community and private sectors; designed and delivered energy and sustainability training programs; engaged widely with consumers, communities, industry and market institutions; and provided thought leadership both on long standing and emerging challenges in the sector.
Mark Grenning
Mark is an experienced energy consultant with a focus on the consumer side. After a 30-year career with Rio Tinto, with particular focus on electricity and gas supply to its operations around the world, he is currently the Director of Policy and Regulation for Energy Users Association of Australia (EUAA) where his work includes advocacy to all energy market bodies and governments, and membership of many network consumer consultation forums.
Mark was a long-term member of the AEMC Reliability Panel from 2001-14, the Australian Energy Regulator’s Consumer Challenge Panel from 2016-20 and the inaugural Consumer Panel for the 2022 ISP. He presented a course on Energy Supply Chains as part of Melbourne University’s Master of Energy Systems degree from 2017-21 and is a long-time member of the Grattan Institute Energy Reference Group.
Mark Henley
Mark Henley has worked with people from disadvantaged communities for over 40 years and has been a strong advocate for vulnerable people, including as CEO of SACOSS, Vice President of Youth Affairs Council of Australia and for the last 2 decade for Uniting Communities in South Australia. Mark was drawn into energy debates when the SA Government decided to move to “full retail contestability” and subsequently when electricity prices for consumers jumped dramatically.
Mark is an inaugural member of the Energy Consumers Roundtable and is a member of the AER’s Consumer Challenge Panel and Consumer Consultative Group. Other current involvements include Board membership of EWOSA (Energy and Water Ombudsman) and SA Financial Counselling Association as well as being a member to the Economics Society of Australia Central Council, as SA Branch President.
Beverley Hughson
Beverley has over 30 years of experience in the Australian energy industry including significant participation in regulatory processes over the last 12 years on behalf of both large and small consumers. This participation is underpinned by an academic background in social psychology, business management and commercial law. She has the experience and ability to work constructively with regulators, consumer representatives and a wide range of end-consumers to achieve outcomes consistent with the long-term interests of consumers. After leaving the private energy sector, Bev was appointed to the AER's initial and second Consumer Challenge Panels, and in 2020 she joined the AER's Rate of Return Consumer Reference Group becoming chair of the Group in 2021. She has also contributed to the AEMC Transmission Planning and Investment Review Consumer Reference Group.