Albanese Government Appoints New Leadership to ARENA Board to Boost Renewable Energy Investments

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) board has been reinforced with key appointments as the Albanese Government aims to bolster Australia’s transition to renewable energy and support its Future Made in Australia initiative.

Marianna O’Gorman has been reappointed to the board and will take on the newly created role of Deputy Chair. Stephen McIntosh will continue his tenure as a board member, while Angela Karl joins the board for her first term.

ARENA, established in 2012, has played a pivotal role in Australia’s renewable energy sector, providing over $2.9 billion in grant funding to 763 projects and attracting $13.3 billion in renewable energy investment. In late 2024, the government amended ARENA’s legislation to reinforce its independent governance, restore statutory funding, and position it as a key agency for Future Made in Australia investments, including the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, welcomed the appointments, highlighting ARENA’s role in advancing Australia’s clean energy future.

“ARENA has consistently shown that reliable renewable electricity is the cheapest option for Australia,” Bowen stated.

Bowen also criticized Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s energy policies, saying, “Peter Dutton’s $600 billion nuclear scheme will push up bills, cost taxpayers, and add at least 2 billion tonnes more pollution.”

Board Member Profiles

• Marianna O’Gorman: Reappointed as Deputy Chair, O’Gorman brings expertise in sustainable investment, clean technology, and public policy. She has worked with the World Bank, Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and Australian Government. She also serves on the boards of Stanwell Corporation and the McKell Institute Queensland.
• Stephen McIntosh: A board member since 2021, McIntosh has over 36 years of global experience in resources, energy, and innovation. He previously led climate initiatives at Rio Tinto and currently chairs Datarock Holdings.
• Angela Karl: Joining the board for the first time, Karl has extensive experience in energy transition investment. She is Managing Director and Head of Energy Transition at HMC Capital and has held leadership roles at Tilt Renewables, Lochard Energy, and UBS.

The appointments reinforce ARENA’s critical role in driving Australia’s net-zero ambitions while ensuring renewable energy investments benefit local communities and job creation.