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Highlights
- Western Power appoints Michael Barnes as Deputy Chair
- Clean energy focus aligns with WA’s net zero 2025 goals
- New workforce joins through Clean Energy Link Program
Western Australia’s push toward a cleaner, greener energy future has gained significant momentum with the appointment of Michael Barnes as Deputy Chair of Western Power, the government-owned electricity network operator. This leadership enhancement arrives at a pivotal moment, as the state advances its net zero emissions plan and reinforces its clean energy infrastructure.
Michael Barnes, who dedicated 27 years to the Department of Treasury and served as Western Australia’s Under Treasurer for over a decade, brings deep fiscal and public policy expertise to Western Power (ASX:WPOW). His career accomplishments include receiving the Public Service Medal in 2020 and being recognised as the Leader of the Year in State or Federal Government in 2022.
The appointment aligns with Western Power’s growing role in enabling WA’s clean energy ambitions. According to Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, Barnes' experience will be instrumental in the utility’s transition strategy. The company is central to the government’s Made in WA plan, which envisions the state as a clean energy powerhouse.
Western Power’s Clean Energy Link Program is actively preparing the grid for a low-carbon future. The initiative supports infrastructure development to accommodate renewable energy, electric vehicles, and decentralised power systems. In January 2025, 33 new apprentices, trainees, and university graduates will join Western Power to support the implementation of this transformation.
The timing of Barnes’ appointment is also significant for investors interested in energy transition themes within the S&P/ASX200. Western Power’s expanding role in WA’s decarbonisation mission adds to the broader momentum seen in the energy and utility sectors of the ASX200, particularly as market participants look to align with sustainability-focused strategies.
Moreover, infrastructure-related entities like Western Power can be relevant to investors exploring ASX dividend stocks, given the typically stable nature of such businesses. While Western Power itself is not listed, policy and funding shifts toward state-backed infrastructure often ripple into publicly traded utility and energy infrastructure companies.
This strategic leadership shift underscores Western Power’s commitment to both operational excellence and environmental responsibility. As Australia advances its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, leadership expertise at the helm of key players like Western Power will be critical to bridging policy goals and practical energy transformation.
