The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has appointed Mark Henley (Chair), Beverley Hughson, Craig Memery and Dr Jarra Hicks as the four-member 2026 ISP Consumer Panel to engage with AEMO and represent consumers throughout development of the 2026 Integrated System Plan (ISP).
AEMO is pleased to welcome Dr Hicks as a new panellist, with the other three panellists continuing for a second term. Profiles of each of the panel members are available here.
AEMO also extends its thanks to outgoing ISP Consumer Panel member Mark Grenning for his exceptional contribution to the development of the both the 2022 and 2024 ISPs, over four years of continuous service as a panel member.
Mark’s knowledge and input to each ISP has been highly valued. His advice has focused on the technical and economic aspects of planning, in particular, cost impacts to consumers. This advice has had a direct impact on transmission cost accuracy, discount rates, gas pricing, consumer risk preferences, and many other areas. We look forward to continuing to work with Mark in the future as an experienced and valued consumer advocate, with particular understanding of energy interests for C&I customers.
The ISP Consumer Panel plays a critical role to bring a consumer-focused perspective to the ISP development process; not only through the formal reports produced by the panel at key milestones, but through regular engagement with AEMO.
Each of the four 2026 ISP Consumer Panel members bring unique expertise representing consumers and have an important role to play in providing input to the development of the ISP. Combined, the 2026 ISP Consumer Panel will reinforce a focus on consumer interests at every stage of the two-year planning cycle.
The new panel will remain in place until the publication of the 2026 ISP in June 2026. Recruitment for the 2026 ISP Consumer Panel followed a call for expression of interest in February 2024 which generated over 30 applications, representing a high-level of expert interest, and AEMO thanks all applicants who took the time to express their interest.
About the Integrated System Plan (ISP)
The ISP is a roadmap for the energy transition in the National Electricity Market (NEM) over the next 20 years, in line with government policies to reach a net zero economy by 2050. The plan outlines the lowest cost pathway of essential generation, storage, and transmission infrastructure to meet consumers’ energy needs for secure, reliable, and affordable energy, and to achieve net zero emissions targets. AEMO is required to publish an ISP at least every two years.
The panel provides two reports to AEMO which assess two major documents AEMO publishes as part of developing an ISP; the Inputs, Assumptions and Scenarios Report (IASR), and the Draft ISP. The final ISP is developed with consideration of the consumer panel feedback.