This editorial is based on Danny Cooper's presentation at Business Western Sydney's Utility Conference on Wednesday 22 April 2026.
Megatrends shaping the energy system
We are operating in an energy system that is changing faster than at any time since electrification began. Just think about that for a moment. Endeavour Energy has been powering this region for over 130 years. Yet today we are planning for more change in the next decade that we have seen in the previous century.
Why? Because five powerful megatrends are colliding right here in Western Sydney – and they are accelerating.
- The first is rapid electrification of everything - transport, homes and industry - because it’s cleaner, cheaper over time and more efficient.
- The second is decarbonisation – customers, governments and markets now expect rapid progress. Global events have only emphasised the need to shift rapidly from ambition to obligation. For a business like Endeavour Energy, our challenge is to do this at scale.
- The third is decentralisation. Energy is no longer produced in a handful of large coal fired locations. It is produced, stored and managed across hundreds of thousands of rooftops, batteries, and vehicles. One in three of our customers are now also generators – with solar, batteries and EVs all reshaping how power flows through the grid.
- The fourth is digitalisation. The electricity grid is now a real time, two-way, data driven platform – and we’re use forecasting, AI and automation to redefine reliability, resilience and how we predict and manage our customers’ expectations.
- And finally, we are seeing how climate impacts, population growth, data demands and industrial expansion are placing increasing pressure on essential infrastructure and on communities.
Energy infrastructure is no longer just an essential service – it's a central enabler of economic growth – and that’s a responsibility we take very seriously.
Western Sydney growth at scale and in real places
Nowhere is this clearer than in Western Sydney.
Take the Western Sydney Aerotropolis - one of the most significant city‑building and industrial opportunities in the country: Advanced manufacturing. Freight and logistics. Defence. Aerospace. Agribusiness. None of it works without secure, scalable, high‑capacity electricity supply, delivered early and with confidence. And on this, I’m proud to say: we’re delivering.
Last month, we were delighted to invite Deputy Premier Car and Minister Sharpe to join us as we unveiled $320 million in critical energy infrastructure that will power the new Western Sydney International Airport and the first major stage of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and Bradfield City.
These once in a generation projects will underpin jobs, industry and growth for decades to come. By supporting early investment in critical electricity infrastructure, we’re ensuring economic growth across Western Sydney is well planned, resilient and sustainable into the future.
In the North West Growth Area, sustained residential development is driving strong growth in electricity demand, rooftop solar, battery uptake and electric vehicle charging – all of which must be planned for together, not in isolation. NSW Government projections indicate the North West corridor is moving towards a city scale population with long term projections exceeding 800,000 residents by the mid 2030s.
And in the South West Growth Area, we’re seeing a similar story: new homes, new schools, new employment precincts and emerging industrial activity, with communities rightly expecting infrastructure to keep pace with growth. By 2041 nearly 1.6 million people will call this region home.
Electricity is foundational infrastructure. Delivering ahead of growth unlocks investment, jobs and liveability.
Supporting accelerated data centre and EV growth
Western Sydney is also fast becoming the epicentre of Australia’s digital economy, with strong interest in data centres across multiple precincts. This is not by accident. It reflects the region’s proximity to land, customers, fibre, transport and a skilled workforce.
Data centres are a critical part of the new digital infrastructure that sit behind much of modern life. They underpin cloud computing, AI, advanced manufacturing, logistics, health and financial services.
At Endeavour Energy, we see the growth of data centres not as a problem to be managed, but as a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity for NSW. We recognise they bring large electricity demand. But this is an industry that is strategically important. With coordinated, disciplined and customer-focused planning, we can help anchor economic growth.
Endeavour Energy already supports more than 20 data centres. And as demand accelerates, we are working with Sydney Water, TransGrid and developers to co-ordinate capacity planning to deliver the ‘skinniest’ grid possible – maximising existing infrastructure while delivering greatest community benefit.
That’s why we welcome the NSW Government’s recently released Data Centre Principles, which bring clarity to planning, sustainability and infrastructure coordination.
From our perspective, this is exactly the right approach: providing certainty to investors while ensuring developments are integrated thoughtfully into the broader energy system. And that’s why we believe there is a strong business case for a Western Sydney Energy Hub –a well-planned, coordinated and future focused investment in infrastructure.
Endeavour Energy’s role is to ensure the network is ready, resilient and scalable, while working with proponents to support efficient connections, renewable integration and long‑term system performance.
The other major opportunity is electric vehicle adoption. Western Sydney enjoys better public transport than it has for decades but is still heavily reliant on cars – which makes it one of the biggest beneficiaries of well-planned EV infrastructure.
We strongly welcome the NSW Government’s newly released Electric Vehicle Strategy, which recognises that EV infrastructure is not just about chargers – it’s about the system that supports them.
Our role is clear:
- Enabling the network
- Planning for scale
- Supporting smart charging
- And letting the market innovate above the grid
While we’re already working with industry, local councils and EV users to support the rollout of EV charging infrastructure across Greater Western Sydney in shopping centres, workplaces, fleet depots, highways and fast charging locations – in fact – we're currently supporting delivery of 47 new pole mounted kerbside chargers for the Hills, Parramatta and Blacktown regions – we have also proposed a plan to the NSW Government to rollout a scalable, low-cost kerbside charging solution that will complement, these existing commercial and council charging solutions.
Our focus is on supporting the rollout of EV charging infrastructure in locations the market has struggled to serve, particularly residential streets with limited off-street parking, while supporting competition and investment everywhere else.
As you can see on the slide, we’re not competing with private providers. We’re focused on delivering foundational infrastructure that make EV uptake more affordable, reliable and scalable.
None of these opportunities are possible without strong core electricity infrastructure.
Western Sydney’s growth depends on timely investment in substations, batteries and high‑voltage connections – planned once, for many generations, and designed to support a low‑carbon, electrified economy.
Our focus at Endeavour Energy is on getting ahead of growth, on making long‑term, efficient investments; and on ensuring the benefits of electrification are shared fairly across communities.
If there is one message I want to leave with you today, it is this: The energy transition is not something utilities deliver TO communities. It is something we must create and build together.
At Endeavour Energy, we take collaboration seriously – it’s not a slogan, it’s how we work.
With government. With councils. With industry, investors and communities. Western Sydney has the ambition, the momentum and the scale to lead Australia’s next phase of growth. We are proud to support that future – and we are equally clear that we cannot do it alone.
So my invitation today is simple: work with us. Bring us your ideas. Challenge our assumptions. Help us design solutions together.
Let us build an energy system that powers Western Sydney’s growth – reliably, sustainably, and collaboratively – for generations to come.
Danny Cooper is Endeavour Energy’s Chief Executive Officer. He brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience across Australian and international markets, with a strong background in operational excellence, large-scale transformation and customer-focused businesses. Prior to joining Endeavour Energy, Danny held CEO roles at BGC Group in Australia and Hanson UK, leading complex organisations through periods of significant change and growth.
His proven ability to lead with purpose, embed strong safety cultures and drive digital and organisational transformation positions him well to guide Endeavour Energy as it continues to support rapid growth across Greater Western Sydney, progress the energy transition, and deliver safe, reliable and essential electricity services 2.8 million people every day.