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Developing future energy leaders

By Contributed

Mar 24, 2026

Finley High School Year 10 students testing their builds. Photo by Supplied

Students in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) are learning more about current and future career opportunities in the energy sector, through a series of educational initiatives delivered by EnergyCo.

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Renewable Energy Careers Days were held in Hay and Deniliquin last week.

Year 9 and 10 students from multiple schools, including Finley High, attended.

Delivered in partnership with the NSW Department of Education’s Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP), the session was delivered as part of EnergyCo’s commitment to building strong, informed and resilient communities.

Students took part in a number of hands-on workshops led by renewable energy teams from Transgrid, Elecnor, BayWa R.E, Origin Energy, Spark Renewables, Someva-AGL and EnergyCo.

They were designed to explain some of the technologies, innovation and infrastructure that are shaping the energy transformation across Australia, from the teams delivering the projects in our region.

Finley High School careers advisor Deb White said the program gave students a valuable insight into the renewables sector, combining practical activities with a broader look at how major energy projects are planned and assessed.

“The day provided a great educational platform with opportunities for students to gain a first hand understanding of some of the different areas of employment within the renewables sector,” she said.

“Students not only got to do some hands‑on activities that mirrored various occupations but also had the opportunity to look at how the energy sector has to consider the variety of environmental and community constraints before any projects can be fully considered.”

EnergyCo is planning further careers initiatives across the South West REZ throughout 2026.

In the South West REZ, four projects have been granted right of access by EnergyCo to progress with their development plans.

All four projects are located near where Murrumbidgee Council borders with Edward River and Hay Shire Council borders.

Projects include Origin Energy’s Yanco Delta Wind Farm, Spark Renewables' Dinawan Energy Hub, Someva’s Pottinger Energy Park, and BayWA’s Bullawah Wind Farm, which a combined generation capacity of 3.56 gigawatts - enough to power more than 1.6 million homes annually.

South West REZ project director Michael Oppermann said the South West REZ is forecast to support an average of about 1,690 direct jobs per year in the local area during construction, with hundreds of ongoing operational jobs from 2031.

It will also create additional demand for workers in local manufacturing, retail, transport and the supply of goods and services.

“EnergyCo is committed to creating opportunities for the next generation as we secure Australia’s energy future,” Mr Oppermann said.

“The Renewable Energy Careers Day workshops were about giving students a first-hand experience of the careers that are making this happen, helping them to envision themselves as the engineers, technicians and innovators of tomorrow.”