EP.255 Philip Hirschhorn and Tim Nelson on the Future of Australia’s Wholesale Market

This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Philip Hirschhorn, Ministerial Appointee to the NEM Wholesale Market Settings Review Expert Panel, and Tim Nelson, Chair of the independent review of Australia’s NEM. They join Hugo Batten, Aurora’s Managing Director for APAC, and Hana Ramli, Principal in our Australian Advisory team, to discuss the draft recommendations of the Wholesale Market Settings Review and their implications for Australia’s energy transition.

Philip has over two decades of experience advising the energy sector, including 25 years at Boston Consulting Group where he led the Australian Energy practice. He now serves on the Expert Panel shaping reforms to Australia’s derivatives market and contract design. Tim brings extensive leadership experience across Australia’s energy institutions, including Iberdrola, the AEMC, AGL, and government roles, and is currently chairing the independent review of the NEM.

Main topics include:

• The scope and goals of the NEM Wholesale Market Settings Review and the challenges it seeks to address
• Key draft recommendations on the spot market, derivatives, and investment signals
• Implications for batteries, coal exits, and state-level renewable targets in Australia’s energy mix
• Lessons from overseas markets and what it will take to implement reforms successfully

To delve deeper into the investment landscape in Australia, reach out to our Aurora experts at auroraer.com/global-presence/australia.