Keynote address: Australian Foundry Institue National Conference
Emily Wood | October 17, 2025
Speaker: Andrew Richards, CEO, Energy Users’ Association of Australia
Title: Powering Through Change: Challenges, Trends and Opportunities in Australia’s Energy Markets
‘…Good morning everyone,
It’s a real pleasure to be here with you at the Australian Foundry Institute National Summit. Thank you for the warm welcome.
Before we begin, I’d like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. I extend that respect to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us today.
At the EUAA, we represent large commercial and industrial energy users – businesses that together employ over a million Australians and contribute billions to our economy. Our members spend anywhere between $0.5m per year on energy right up to $1m per day.
Our members make aluminium, steel, zinc, cement, glass, bricks, paper packaging, fertiliser, explosives, food and beer to name but a few. We also have a number of large retail and property groups along with many large miners and minerals processors within our membership.
Regardless of the size of the bill, all these organisations rely on access to reliable, affordable energy that is also progressively lower carbon, and all are being profoundly impacted by the changes sweeping through the energy system.
During times of great uncertainty, and make no mistake we are experiencing these times, we think that cooperation is important, meaning we also work collaboratively along the energy value chain. Over many years we have built productive relationships with many on the supply side of the energy industry like generators, network companies and energy retailers along with gas producers and pipeline operators.
While energy has always been a priority for those in the energy industry, for most others it was just another input to their business. However, over the last 5 years, energy has moved from being a procurement function to a top three issue in the board room, not just for energy intensive industries like aluminium and steel, but for virtually every major business in the country.
While the Energy Users’ Association of Australia and the Australian Foundry Institute may operate in different spaces, we share something important:
- We support the industries that keep Australia moving
- We have a deep connection with our members who continue to be our guiding light in developing policies and regulation that is in the long-term interest of the Australian economy
- We have a commitment to collaboration and to seek out innovation to improve competitiveness…’
To find out more about the EUAA and how we can work to support your business, contact EUAA Member Account Manager, Kyllie McMullen on kyllie.mcmullen@euaa.com.au or via 0408 192 159
To read the full speech, please download attached document.
