After five years at the helm, Powerlink Queensland Chief Executive, Professor Paul Simshauser, has announced his retirement from the role.
Prof Simshauser said he joined Powerlink in 2020 with clear goals in mind.
This included returning Powerlink to a high growth environment and harnessing its world-class power system planning skills to help guide the market transformation.
His focus was also on ensuring Powerlink’s employees were ready for and engaged in the complexity of the transformation ahead of Queensland.
“Above all, I wanted Powerlink’s people to be very clear that we are here to serve Queenslanders in everything we do,” Prof Simshauser said.
“Over the past five years, I’ve witnessed extraordinary commitment to those objectives and I leave with full confidence in the direction we have now charted.
“We have connected more than 40 renewable and battery projects – some still in-flight – representing a combined capacity of ~9,500 MW. That is an incredible achievement that we can be extremely proud of.”
Prof Simshauser will finish as Chief Executive in mid-November 2025 to do a short university research stint before returning to the private sector at a later stage.
Queensland Treasurer and Energy Minister, David Janetzki, extended his thanks to Prof Simshauser for his significant contribution to public service in Queensland.
“Paul is one of the most respected figures in the energy sector and it’s been a privilege to work with him for the past ten months,” Mr Janetzki said.
“I wish him all the very best and know that he will be sorely missed.
“I look forward to his continuing contribution to our state in the years ahead.”
Powerlink Chair, Kathy Hirschfeld, commended Prof Simshauser on his many achievements as Powerlink’s Chief Executive and thanked him for an incredible five years of driving the energy transformation in Queensland.
“Paul has taken Powerlink through a challenging and extremely busy five years, and we cannot thank him enough for his passion and unwavering commitment,” she said.
“As the driving force behind our many achievements, he now leaves Powerlink in an excellent position to continue navigating what’s to come. We wish him every success in whatever challenge he takes on next.”
