Australia’s energy sector is navigating a complex transition, striving to balance reliability, sustainability, and affordability.
Drawing on extensive experience in the UK energy market, where the company has supported grid operators through similar challenges, Camlin Energy outlines five key issues facing Australian energy operators and proposes practical solutions informed by global best practices.
1. Ageing infrastructure under pressure
Australia’s grid, much like Britain’s, relies on infrastructure designed decades ago, ill-equipped for surging demand from electrification and variable renewable generation. Ageing transformers and switchgear are nearing their limits, risking outages and inefficiencies.
Solution: Real-time asset condition monitoring, paired with predictive analytics, enables operators to prioritise maintenance and extend asset lifecycles. In the UK, Camlin’s Sapient Asset Insights platform has helped utilities reduce unplanned outages by identifying risks early – a strategy Australian operators can adopt to ensure reliability amid rising demand.
2. Supply chain delays
Global supply chain disruptions are delaying critical grid components such as high-voltage transformers, threatening timely grid upgrades. This challenge, also seen in Great Britain’s net zero push, strains operators’ ability to modernise infrastructure.
Solution: Real-time asset condition monitoring, paired with predictive analytics, allows operators to safely extend the life of existing assets, deferring replacements. Camlin’s Sapient Asset Insights platform, proven in the UK, helps operators plan investments efficiently, mitigating supply chain risks and maintaining grid reliability.
3. Multi-directional grid complexity
The rise of distributed energy resources (DER) and consumer energy resources (CER) is transforming Australia’s grid into a multi-directional network, increasing operational complexity. This mirrors Great Britain’s rapid integration of renewables and decentralised energy.
Solution: A modular asset and performance management approach – combining sensors for real-time monitoring, analytics for predictive diagnostics, and expert support – provides visibility and control. Camlin’s UK projects demonstrate how such systems enable operators to adapt to dynamic energy flows, supporting a flexible, renewables-integrated grid.
4. Shortage of skilled expertise
The retirement of experienced engineers and slow recruitment of new talent are straining Australia’s energy workforce, which is a challenge also faced in the UK’s evolving market. Complex grid technologies only exacerbate this skills gap.
Solution: AI-driven tools can automate fault detection and failure predictions. Partnering with external specialists, like Camlin’s asset lifecycle experts, provides on-demand knowledge. In the UK, this hybrid approach has allowed operators to scale expertise efficiently – a model Australian providers can replicate.
5. Rising consequences of failure
Unplanned outages, equipment failures, and regulatory non-compliance carry severe financial and reputational risks. As Australia’s grid faces stricter oversight, these consequences grow, mirroring the UK’s experience under tight regulatory frameworks.
Solution: Continuous monitoring with data-driven insights allows operators to act proactively, ensuring compliance and minimising outages. Camlin’s work in the UK highlights how real-time analytics can prevent costly penalties, offering Australian operators a proven path to resilience.
Why Camlin Energy?
With deep expertise in Great Britain’s energy transition, Camlin Energy brings battle-tested solutions to Australia. The company’s Sapient Asset Insights platform and expert services empower operators to manage risks, optimise performance and build a future-ready grid.
Join Camlin at Australian Energy Week
Visit Camlin Energy at stand C4 from 17–20 June 2025 at Australian Energy Week 2025, located at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Explore live demos of the company’s monitoring solutions, meet the technical team and discover Camlin Energy’s UK-informed strategies can support Australia’s energy goals. Learn more at Camlin Energy’s website.
Find more information about Australian Energy Week here, or learn more about Camlin Energy here.
