By HARRY CLARKE
EMBATTLED government-owned power generator CS Energy has promoted internally in appointing its new chief executive following the departure earlier this year of longstanding boss Andrew Bills, and as the company deals with failures at one of its major energy facilities.
New CEO Darren Busine was most recently the company’s Executive General Manager Energy Markets, Technology and Commercial and has more than two decades’ experience in the Queensland energy sector.
A statement today by CS Energy said Busine was one of Queensland’s most experienced energy executives, having held senior leadership roles at Energex and Ergon Energy before joining CS Energy.
Company chair Adam Aspinall said Busine’s appointment came at an important time for CS Energy as it focussed on the return to service of the joint venture Callide C Power Station in Central Queensland.
A fire in May 2021 at the Callide C4 facility near Biloela caused major power outages and the shutdown of one of its generators. In October last year a second generator, Callide C3, encountered structural failures.
“Darren brings to the role a deep understanding of CS Energy’s business and the dynamic energy market it operates in,” Aspinall (pictured) said.
“He has played a key role in the business diversifying into renewable energy and delivering customer-focussed retail energy solutions for some of Queensland’s largest organisations.
“The CS Energy Board has appointed him following a rigorous, open market recruitment process.
“The Board is confident that Darren will lead CS Energy to deliver the reliable and affordable energy that Queenslanders expect and deserve.”
Last month CS Energy announced the timeline for the Callide generator’s return to service had been delayed from the initial projection of September unit the beginning of 2024 in time for “the peak summer demand period”.
“I’m particularly looking forward to working closely with Darren to safely return the Callide C units to service and to deliver improved reliable operation from the Callide B and Kogan Creek power stations,” Aspinall said.
“I would like to thank Interim CEO Andrew Varvari for his commitment and leadership in guiding the business through its recent challenges.”
Since departing CS Energy, former CEO Andrew Bills has taken charge of SA Power Networks in South Australia.
