The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) today announced the appointment of three new panel members, representing consumers, generators, and innovation and emerging technologies.
The new appointments include:
- Ashley Bradshaw, appointed as the representative for end-use consumers
- Erin van Maanen, appointed as the representative for generators
- Dani Alexander, appointed as the discretionary member representing Consumer Energy Resources (CER) and Distributed Energy Resources (DER).
The AEMC extends its sincere gratitude to outgoing Panel members Craig Memery, Damien Sanford and Rachele Williams for their exceptional contributions during their respective tenures.
Strengthening the Panel with new industry expertise:
Consumer advocacy: Ashley Bradshaw, Executive Manager at Energy Consumers Australia (ECA), has over nine years of experience as an economist and consumer advocate.
He is responsible for leading internal analysis and research functions while representing ECA on wholesale, transmission and network pricing reform processes. Mr Bradshaw is experienced in delivering outcomes that support the National Energy Objectives across wholesale, networks, and retail markets. Mr Bradshaw also advises government officials and market bodies on priority issues.
Mr Bradshaw’s term formally commences on 1 July 2026, for a three-year term.
Generators: Erin van Maanen, Executive General Manager at Hydro Tasmania, brings more than 20 years of experience across renewable generation, wholesale markets, corporate finance and energy infrastructure.
At Hydro Tasmania, Ms van Maanen is responsible for driving the development and execution of a clear strategic direction, including NEM policy and regulatory functions and manages Hydro Tasmania’s energy portfolio and trading functions. She also currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at the Australian Energy Council (AEC), the peak industry body for electricity and downstream natural gas businesses operating in Australia’s wholesale and retail energy markets.
Ms van Maanen’s term formally commences on 1 July 2026, for a three-year term.
Consumer Energy Resources (CER) and Distributed Energy Resources (DER): Dani Alexander is a discretionary member representing CER and DER. Ms Alexander is the CEO of the UNSW Energy Institute, the interim CEO of the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub, Director of the Energy Research Institutes Council for Australia and a Board Member of the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC).
In her roles, Ms Alexander has worked closely with energy sector stakeholders for more than 15 years. Her own research focuses on socio-technical systems to support DER integration and orchestration.
Ms Alexander is appointed for a three-year term, which commenced on 28 May 2026.
About the Reliability Panel
The Reliability Panel is established under the National Electricity Law (NEL) and forms part of the AEMC institutional arrangements. The primary function of the Panel is to monitor, review and report on the reliability, security and safety of the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Key responsibilities include:
- monitoring and reporting on power system reliability, security and safety
- providing expert advice to the AEMC on system reliability and security matters
- determining standards and guidelines used by AEMO and market participants
- conducting market reviews and setting key market parameters like the market price cap.
The Panel comprises representatives from across the National Electricity Market, including small and large consumers, generators, network businesses, retailers, and AEMO. This diverse membership ensures all perspectives are considered in maintaining a secure and reliable power system for consumers.
Interested parties should contact Victoria Mollard, Executive General Manager – Economics and System Security (02) 8296 7872 or victoria.mollard@aemc.gov.au or visit our Reliability Panel page.
Media: Jessica Rich, 0459 918 964, media@aemc.gov.au