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In an industry long ruled by multinational giants, one Australian company is breaking the mould; and it’s doing it with grit, agility, and good old-fashioned hard work. Meet Genus, the infrastructure challenger rapidly becoming a Tier 1 force in the nation’s energy transition.
From humble beginnings in WA to a national powerhouse
Founded 16 years ago by Managing Director David Riches, Genus began as a small powerlines business in Perth.
“I borrowed $20,000 from my dad and had to pay it back in 30 days,” Riches says.
“There was no backup plan; it was do or die.”
That mindset still fuels the business today. With around $600 million in annual revenue, a $1.5 billion order book, and a 1,400-plus strong directly employed workforce, Genus has evolved into one of the fastest-growing players in the country. But what sets Genus apart isn’t just its scale; it’s how the company is challenging the conventions of infrastructure delivery in a fast-changing energy landscape.
“We’re not here to do things the way they’ve always been done,” Riches says.
“We’re here to do them better, faster, smarter, and with full accountability.”
Securing a seat at the top table: Transgrid’s HumeLink Project
A recent milestone highlights just how far Genus has come. In a joint venture with ACCIONA (AGJV), Genus was awarded the contract to deliver the East section of Transgrid’s HumeLink Transmission Project; a multibillion-dollar undertaking vital to New South Wales’ clean energy future.
This project is a cornerstone of the federal government’s Rewiring the Nation initiative and will contribute to Australia meeting its future energy demands through a greater mix of low-emission renewable energy sources as we transition to a low-carbon future. Spanning more than 360km, HumeLink will deliver a cheaper, more reliable, and more sustainable grid by increasing the capacity for renewable energy to be delivered across the national electricity market.
“The AGJV being selected by Transgrid for HumeLink East shows we’ve earned a place at the top table,” Riches says.
“It’s recognition that Genus has the scale, the systems, and the people to deliver on some of the biggest, most complex projects in the country.”
The scale of the HumeLink project requires deep integration between engineering, procurement, and construction teams. It’s a textbook example of how a challenger can lead from the front.
Built on values, delivered by people
At the heart of Genus’ success is its values-driven culture. Mateship, safety, integrity, and collaboration aren’t buzzwords; they’re the way the company operates, from the boardroom to the jobsite.
Unlike many in the sector, Genus directly employs its workforce. Nearly 1,400 Australians are part of the team, and that direct connection means better quality, better consistency, and a genuine investment in people.
“Our people are everything,” says Riches. “They’re not just subcontractors passing through; they’re career professionals building something real. We back them, we grow them, and they’re proud to wear the Genus name.”
The leadership team, including Riches himself, maintains a hands-on connection to site-level operations. That tight loop between decision-makers and delivery teams is a key reason Genus can outperform larger, slower-moving competitors.
“Infrastructure isn’t just about concrete and steel; it’s about people,” Riches says.
“We work side-by-side with our clients, our crews, and the communities we operate in. We’re a contractor, sure, but more than that, we’re a trusted partner.”
More than just powerlines
While its early days were focused on transmission, Genus has grown into a full-service, end-to-end infrastructure provider. Its vertically integrated model, with in-house design and field capability, enables greater control, tighter schedules, and less risk. From substations to communications systems, and renewable energy builds to ongoing maintenance, Genus covers the entire project lifecycle.
Its teams are on the ground in every corner of the country, working in city centres, regional hubs, and some of the most remote landscapes in Australia.
In Western Australia, Genus is executing a contract encompassing new terminal builds as well as augmentation of existing infrastructure at the Clean Energy Link North Project for Western Power, modernising regional transmission to accommodate a growing pipeline of wind and solar generation. The project is a major step forward for the state’s renewable energy rollout and ensures a more reliable supply to regional communities.
In Queensland, Genus has delivered the Aldoga Solar Farm 275kV Substation in partnership with ACCIONA Energia—a critical enabling asset for one of the state’s largest solar generation sites. Genus’ ability to design and build complex substations has become a key differentiator as Australia scales up its Renewable Energy Zones.
On the West Coast, Genus has delivered in bringing the massive Kwinana Battery online; one of the state’s largest utility-scale energy storage projects, completed across two stages. It’s infrastructure like this that will stabilise the grid and store excess renewable energy for when it’s needed most.
Building for tomorrow
In an era when major projects are under tighter timelines and more scrutiny than ever, Genus is proving that size alone doesn’t guarantee success. What matters is execution and Genus has built a reputation for getting the job done.
“Our clients want partners who deliver. No excuses, no delays, no red tape,” Riches says.
With growing momentum in NSW, QLD, VIC, TAS, and WA, and a national reputation on the rise, Genus isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Its ability to deliver critical infrastructure with speed, care, and integrity is turning heads at the highest levels of government and industry.
“We’re just getting started,” Riches says.
“We’ve built something real. Something proud. And now we’re ready to take it even further, powering what matters, right across this country.”
