The SAP Energy & Natural Resources (ENR) Summit took place on 29-30 October 2024 in Perth, drawing senior executives from the utilities, oil & gas, mining, metals, chemicals, and paper sectors. Attendees experienced a day of inspiring keynotes, transformative customer stories, and actionable insights on industry trends and technological innovations shaping the future. The Summit also offered tailored networking opportunities designed specifically for leadership.
Industry leaders from organisations such as SA Power Networks, SQM, Talison Lithium, Citic Mining, Perseus Mining, Hazer Group, Deloitte, EY, DXC Technology, KPMG, ENEL Green, Atlantic Lithium, and others addressed some of the most critical topics facing the sector. These included evolving CEO roles, the applications of AI, advancements in clean energy and mining, diversity and inclusion, board management through transformation, and the current political and economic landscape.
The Changing Role of Finance session explored the power of data-driven decision-making, emphasising the need to balance speed, agility, resilience, and risk. Participants discussed the benefits of standardisation to drive innovation and the importance of balancing efficiency, consistency, and creativity to foster long-term growth.
Managing Board Transformation covered practical strategies for selecting and managing board members through digital transformation. The discussion centred on choosing the right talent, securing board endorsement on risk management, coaching delivery teams for transparency, and actively fostering feedback. Attendees also discussed the importance of cross-pollinating teams to bring fresh ideas, nurturing a culture of openness, and maintaining curiosity across the organisation.
Sessions led by senior economists and analysts from EY and Deloitte provided insights into economic trends affecting the industry. These covered mergers and acquisitions, defence spending, the impact of the US elections, the rise of trade blocs, and Australia’s growth trajectory amidst global productivity challenges.
In an especially poignant session on resilience and leadership, Chandler Comerford, former Navy SEAL and oil & gas consultant, shared his journey through adversity, demonstrating how resilience and fellowship strengthened him during challenging times.
As the ENR sector embraces a clean energy revolution and start-up culture, attendees gained valuable insights from leaders at Atlantic Lithium and Hazer Group on how start-ups are succeeding by blending traditional mining and energy practices with innovative clean energy technologies, creating a mutually beneficial synergy.
In the Innovation Breakout sessions, customers shared their transformation journeys, discussing lessons learned and the highs and lows of modernisation. Leaders from Perseus Mining, ENEL Green, and Talison Lithium discussed change management, the importance of executive sponsorship, setting clear goals, and choosing the right implementation partners. Attendees were reminded of the importance of a “clean core,” avoiding the allure of customisation, and the value of iterative improvements rather than waiting for a perfect solution.
Participants also explored strategies for creating, managing, and thriving with a diverse workforce, noting how diversity drives organisational growth. In the closing session, Peter Moore of SAP and Lauren Walsh from Citic Mining discussed the application of AI, especially in administrative and learning systems, and its benefits to the sector. The session was rounded off with insights illustrated through everyone’s favourite F1 examples, providing memorable takeaways for attendees.
Day 2 featured a half-day site visit to the Kwinana Industries Council (KIC), led by KIC CEO David Harrison. Harrison guided attendees through significant sites and emphasised the role of the Kwinana industrial area in driving nearly $15 billion in annual economic activity—equivalent to 1% of Australia’s GDP—while employing over 40,000 people, with two-thirds residing in the local community.
Attendees also visited the Synergy Big Battery Facility, where Jason Froud, Executive General Manager of Strategy and Corporate Affairs, shared insights into the increasing importance of battery storage in Western Australia’s energy landscape. Synergy’s Battery Energy Storage System Stage 1 (KBESS1), the state’s largest grid-scale battery at 100 megawatts / 200 megawatt-hours, is a pivotal component of the Western Australian Government’s Energy Transformation Strategy. It supports grid stability and enables increased adoption of renewable energy across the community.
This two-day Summit, packed with knowledgeable speakers and high-impact sessions, left attendees with plenty to consider. They departed with innovative strategies and practical solutions to drive smarter, faster business operations, equipped to future-proof their organisations and build a more sustainable future.
