One of the Australian energy industry’s greatest contributors, Terry Effeney, has sadly passed away.
Mr Effeney spent almost 40 years in the energy industry, combining an engineering and economics background with extensive operational management experience.
Most recently, he chaired the Queensland Energy Security Taskforce and was a panel member with Australia’s Chief Scientist Alan Finkel on the Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market.
Energy Networks Australia chair Nino Ficca said he was saddened to hear the news and conveyed the industry’s condolences to the Effeney family.
“Terry Effeney for many years worked in senior roles in energy network businesses in Queensland and he was a major driver of the transformation of the energy sector in Australia,” Mr Ficca said.
“Terry contributed a lifetime to our industry, bringing engineering, economics and extensive operational management experience to the sector.
“Terry leaves an important legacy for our industry and a strong mark on future leaders as one who led with a human touch, always making time to engage with those starting in the industry as well as his colleagues across the country.
“I often spoke with Terry personally, seeking his advice and counsel on a variety of issues.”
Through Terry’s decade-long role as CEO of Energex, he joined the Energy Networks Australia Board in 2007 and served as a director until 2016.
“Terry had a vision of a smarter and more customer focused energy system, and he was a passionate advocate for the recent Electricity Networks Transformation Roadmap,” Mr Ficca said.
“His ambition is evident in everything Energy Networks Australia does today.”
In recognition of Terry’s outstanding contribution to the energy industry, he was awarded life membership of Energy Networks Australia when he retired from the Board.
In a joint statement, Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey and Minister for Energy Dr Anthony Lynham said Mr Effeney has left a lasting legacy.
“Terry was always fiercely committed to the safety and welfare of Energy Queensland’s 7500 employees,” the statement said.
“In every weather crisis and natural disaster the networks faced, he led from the front.
“We would like to acknowledge Terry’s outstanding contribution to Queensland’s electricity industry, its communities, and its people.”