Energy Futures series breaks new ground for Gladstone

10 February 2026

A man stands at the front of a classroom, with a projection behind him, and about 20 people seated listening. Inset, a man in a suit smiles. — A Regional Enablers Program event at CQU Gladstone. Inset: Peter Ware, COO of Alpha HPA

Gladstone’s transition to renewable energy is set for big solutions, with community events to tackle some of its persistent challenges.

CQUniversity’s Energy Futures: From Challenge to Innovation event on Tuesday 10 March will combine industry knowledge with community ideas and priorities, to kick off a series of capacity-building projects for the region.

The free event is part of CQU Gladstone’s Regional Enablers Program, which last year began identifying the early challenges facing Gladstone’s transition to renewable energy.

A series of forums and research identified recurring issues, from workforce capability to technology adoption to the reliability and cost of clean energy supply.

Now industry is giving a fresh perspective on key issues and proposed solutions - developed through last year’s community and industry workshops - and through pitch challenges with the region’s high school students.

CQU Social Impact Lab Program Manager Steve Williams said 2026 events would refine and validate challenges already uncovered.

“Our March networking event refines these challenges into real‑world problem statements for school students to work on at the Future Creators Challenge in May, before returning in September to present their solutions to community and industry,” he said.

"Participant's input will directly shape which real-world problems local students will work on, and which opportunities progress toward prototypes, partnerships and pilot possibilities later in the year.”

The current challenge themes are:

Funding & Investment
Community Perceptions
Skilled Workforce
Youth Engagement.

The March networking event will welcome the expertise of Peter Ware, chief operating officer of Alpha HPA.

The innovative company is leading high-purity aluminium extraction in Gladstone, based on its world-first commercialised solvent extraction technique, producing a range of materials for use in high technology like lithium-ion batteries.

With broad experience in project delivery, regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement, Mr Ware leads Alpha HPA’s operations and project execution, including construction and commissioning of the Stage Two HPA First Project in Gladstone - the world’s largest high-purity aluminium materials facility.

“Gladstone’s industrial transition will be shaped by the strength of our workforce,” Mr Ware said.

“New industries need skilled people. If we want to remain a leading industrial region, we must invest in young people and give them clear pathways into engineering, operations, technology and advanced manufacturing.

“At Alpha HPA we are building a world-scale facility in Gladstone. That creates real jobs and long-term careers. Programs like Energy Futures help students see those opportunities early and understand the skills they need to step into them.

“The future of this region depends on building capability here at home.”

The event will also feature project partner BOP Industries, with Head of Programs Maddie Panther to share insights from their work with high school student participants.

Following 2025 events, 67 per cent of Gladstone Regional Enablers Program participants reported their renewable energy knowledge grew a lot or a great deal, and 60 per cent reported their connection to innovation and entrepreneurship grew a lot or a great deal.

Coming events in May and September will move the region from grappling with challenges, to innovative pathways and partnerships for transition.

Register now to attend Energy Futures: From Challenge to Innovation at CQU Gladstone Marina campus, Tuesday 10 March, 12 noon – 2pm.

The networking event is free, with lunch and refreshments provided.

This initiative is supported by the Queensland Government, as part of the statewide Regional Enablers Program, boosting local opportunities for innovation driven enterprises to grow across Queensland's diverse regions.

CQUniversity was one of 15 regional innovation organisations successful in Round 1 of the program, and the three-year initiative is led by CQU Associate Professor Linda Pfeiffer.