Journal No. 10 Mike Cannon-Brookes

Mike Cannon-Brookes, an Australian businessman who is the co-founder and chief executive officer of the software company Atlassian (Wikipedia, 2025 ). He has emerged as a relentless advocate for renewable energy, leveraging his wealth and influence to push Australia toward a sustainable future. Through ventures like Sun Cable and his stake in AGL, Cannon-Brookes exemplifies how power, wielded responsibly, can drive meaningful change. 

 

Business Venture 

His private investment firm Grok Ventures secured control of the Sun Cable solar project – one of the world’s biggest solar infrastructure projects – and plans to export its clean energy from Australia to Singapore via an undersea cable. “Australia should be a complete renewable energy superpower” – Mike Cannon-Brookes (Extavour, 2024 ). 

Currently, Mike Cannon-Brookes have a 11.7% stake with AGL, the country’s biggest polluter and he is wielding his power to push the company to rapidly cut its emissions and transition to renewables; including a campaign in 2022 for earlier closure dates of AGL’s two remaining coal-fired power stations by 2035 (Extavour, 2024 ). 

 

Last month, February 2025, the software company, Atlassian, sealed a deal to become the title partner and technology partner of UK-based Williams Racing, to make its first appearance at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne (Adhikari, 2025). 

While his involvement in F1 racing, notoriously having large carbon footprint, Mike Cannon-Brookes said that F1 already hitting significant progress towards net-zero by 2030 (Adhikari, 2025). 

 

In August 2024, Mike Cannon-Brookes Sun Cable won the Australian Governments approval to build the first phase of the 30 billion undersea cable that will deliver solar-generated electricity from Darwin to Singapore. Sun Cable is building the 4,300-kilometre Australia-Asia Power Link that aims to deliver more than 20 gigawatts of electricity by 2030 from a solar farm in northern Australia to customers in Darwin and Singapore (Rosendar, 2024). 

In December 2019, Mike Cannon-Brookes says that his 20-billion plan to power Singapore with Australian solar power was likely to be completely feasible and very profitable. The Sun Cable project proposes to build a mammoth solar project in central Australia combined with battery storage, that are connected to Singapore via an undersea cable. A 10-gigawatt solar and about 150 times the size of Hornsdale Battery (Hornsdale is 150 MW Battery) (Parkinson, 2019). 

 

In November 2020, more than 100 leading Australian businessmen, including Mike Cannon-Brookes issued a joint endorsement of climate change legislation proposed by independent MP Zali Steggall, saying it was a critical Australia seized the opportunity to act on climate change and commit to a zero-carbon target. The bill would commit Australia to stronger emissions reduction targets and would legislate a target of zero net emissions by 2025 (Mazengarb, Renew Economy , 2020). 

 

In a podcast interview with Giles Parkinson and David Leitch back in November 2021, Mike Cannon-Brookes talks about how slow the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy, he is quite frustrated with how the Australian Federal government is not committed to achieve at least to cut the 80% dependent on fossil fuel and only 20% renewable were achieved over the last 2 decades (Cannon-Brookes, 2021). 

 

 

In another podcast interview with Giles Parkinson and David Leitch back on February 24, 2022, Mike Cannon-Brooke talks about explains why buying AGL will be the fastest, cheapest, smartest, and safest way to transition from coal to renewables. In that interview, Mike Cannon-Brooke explained further his plans to close AGL’s Coal power plant to transition to renewable energy, with Grid stability in mind and consumers savings on their electricity bills (Cannon-Brooke, Energy Insiders Podcast: Mike Cannon-Brookes and closing coal, 2022). Further to this interview, Mike Cannon-Brooke reiterates that the transition to renewables have liabilities, either borne by the current shareholders or it’s borne by the government. 

 

In a keynote speech at the launch of Careers for Net-Zero last October 2023, Mike Cannon-Brooke talks about Australia’s next big employer, climate jobs. The green economy is Australia’s golden ticket, but the biggest risk is not having enough people in the right places to execute this (Vorrath, 2023 ). 

In November 2023, Mike Cannon-Brooke reiterated his plea for AGL to speed up its transition from coal to green energy. He reiterated that AGL should set ambitious targets. Mike Cannon-Brookes tried to force the hand of AGL but failed to take control. He managed to still have 11.7% stake but does not control the board (Cannon-Brooke, “A stand still:” Cannon-Brookes calls on AGL to move a lot faster to green energy, 2023). However, Mike Cannon-Brookes setback does not totally in futile as AGL’s proposed demerger plan, which would have split the company into two entities – one focused on coal and the other on renewables – was a key moment. This campaign successfully led to the withdrawal of the demerger proposal and a shake-up in AGL’s leadership, including the resignation of its CEO and board chair (Mazengarb, AGL dumps demerger plan, announces management and board clean out, 2022). 

In an article by Paul Sakkal dated March 12, 2024, Labor Party moves to remove big-money donations in the biggest shake-up to Australian election rules. Under the proposed changes, individuals such as Clive Palmer and Mike Cannon-Brookes will have their influence on politics dramatically curtailed, as individuals, company, or third-party group would be banned from giving huge sums to parties (Sakkal, 2024 ). This may impact the green advocacy of Mike Cannon-Brookes. 

In an article by Nick Toscano last March 2025 for the Sydney Morning Herald, a major renewable energy investor is planning to build some of the world’s most powerful batteries in Australia after developing a breakthrough technology and can deliver electricity twice as long as today’s largest grid-scale battery systems. Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, a global investor in energy-transition assets and backer of tech mogul Mike Cannon-Brookes’ 35 billion Sun Mega-projects in the Northern Territory, has been working with Chinese battery giant CATL on pioneering a grid-scale battery with eight hours of storage capacity (Toscano, 2025 ). 

With Mike Cannon-Brookes’ advocacy of transitioning to green energy, I believe AGL’s energy share price over the last five years has experienced significant fluctuations, reflecting challenges and transitions in the energy sector. The company faced declining prices due to market pressures and its reliance on coal-fired power generation.

Conclusion 

Mike Cannon-Brookes exemplifies how power, when wielded responsibly, can drive meaningful change. Through his investments and advocacy, he has shown a relentless commitment to accelerating the transition to renewable energy and addressing climate challenges. By leveraging his influence as a businessman, investor, and thought leader, he continues to challenge outdated norms, push for innovations, and inspire others to envision a more sustainable future. His actions reflect the profound potential of using power not just for personal gain but as a force for the greater good, leaving a lasting impact on both industry and society. 

However, this is only the beginning. The path ahead is challenging, as the closure of AGL’s coal power plants remains uncertain, and the transition to fully renewable energy is still in its early stages. Moreover, his efforts to expand influence within AGL have encountered significant hurdles, complicating the push for a faster transition.

On a personal note, Cannon-Brookes could be seen as Australia’s version of Elon Musk, though with a sharper focus on renewables and climate advocacy.

 

 

References

 

Adhikari, S. (2025, March 12 ). doi:https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/how-atlassian-billionaire-mike-cannon-brookes-plans-to-shake-up-the-f1-world-20250311-p5lio7.html

Cannon-Brooke, M. (2022, February 24). Energy Insiders Podcast: Mike Cannon-Brookes and closing coal. (G. P. Leitch, Interviewer) RenewEconomy. doi:https://reneweconomy.com.au/mike-cannon-brookes-and-closing-coal/

Cannon-Brooke, M. (2023, November 21 ). “A stand still:” Cannon-Brookes calls on AGL to move a lot faster to green energy. (G. Parkinson, Interviewer) Renew Economy . doi:https://reneweconomy.com.au/cannon-brookes-calls-on-australias-biggest-coal-polluter-to-move-a-lot-faster/

Cannon-Brookes, M. (2021, November 5). Energy Insiders Transcript: Mike Cannon-Brookes on the green energy future. (D. L. Parkinson, Interviewer) RenewEconomy.com.au. doi:https://reneweconomy.com.au/energy-insiders-transcript-mike-cannon-brookes-on-the-green-energy-future/

Extavour, M. (2024 , November 16). TIME Magazine . doi:https://time.com/collection/time100-climate/6333143/michael-cannon-brookes/

Mazengarb, M. (2020, November 7). Renew Economy . doi:https://reneweconomy.com.au/mike-cannon-brookes-investors-issue-call-for-climate-change-bill-38982/

Mazengarb, M. (2022, May 30). Renew Economy. doi:https://reneweconomy.com.au/agl-dumps-demerger-plan-announces-management-and-board-clean-out/

Parkinson, M. M. (2019, December 10). Renew Economy. doi:https://reneweconomy.com.au/some-crazy-folks-behind-mike-cannon-brookes-20b-sun-cable-project-22944/

Rosendar, Y. (2024, August 22 ). forbes.com.au. doi:https://www.forbes.com.au/news/innovation/mike-cannon-brookes-30-billion-solar-project-wins-approval/

Sakkal, P. (2024 , March 12 ). The Sydney Morning Herald . doi:https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/big-money-to-be-taken-out-of-politics-in-radical-electoral-overhaul-20240308-p5faxq.html

Toscano, N. (2025 , March 6). The Syndey Morning Herald . doi:https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/giant-batteries-are-coming-to-australia-bringing-24-7-renewables-a-step-closer-20250305-p5lh4e.html

Vorrath, S. (2023 , October 26). Renew Economy . doi:https://reneweconomy.com.au/climate-jobs-australias-next-big-employer-says-cannon-brookes-in-push-for-green-workforce/

Wikipedia. (2025 , March 12). doi:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Cannon-Brookes

 

 

 

 

Journal No. 8 – The Future of Work

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Power Generation 

Western Australia’s main electricity network, the Southwest Interconnected System (SWIS), serves the state’s population (Infrastructure Australia , 2020). What makes this grid truly unique is that it is both geographically and electrically isolated, with no connection to other transmission lines (Infrastructure Australia , 2020). This isolation presents challenges in managing supply and demand, particularly as the grid shifts toward renewable energy sources. 

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) managed the electricity of Western Australia  (AEMO, 2024) , working in collaboration with WA’s largest electricity generator and retailer, Synergy (Synergy, 2025). 

With the growing integration of renewables – solar, wind, and battery storage – into the SWIS, electricity generation has become increasingly complex and dynamic to control. Solar and Wind power are intermittent due to their dependence on weather conditions[1]. This unpredictability requires real-time, up-to-date control of electricity generation to minimize supply fluctuations and ensure grid stability. 

The SWIS grid frequency is crucial and must be maintained at 50 Hz. A frequency drop indicates an imbalance where demand exceeds supply. While an increase in frequency means supply surpasses demand (Grid Beyond , 2024 ). Keeping the grid stable becomes harder with the unpredictable nature of renewable energy sources, which can throw the system off balance and lead to load shedding or even widespread outages (AEMO, 2022; Energy Facts Australia, 2018).

To address these challenges, AEMO deployed the Wholesale Electricity Market Dispatch Engine (WEMDE), an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system designed to manage the real-time dispatch of energy in Western Australia (AEMO, 2025). WEMDE processes data from market participants, such as generation providers, demand forecasts, and system constraints. Using this information, it calculates energy dispatch in compliance with market rules and sends instructions to generators in real time. It continuously monitors and adjusts grid conditions to maintain balance and reliability (AEMO, 2025).  This includes integrating renewables and adapting to weather patterns and forecasts. Yet, this technological leap also reshapes the future of work in power generation. While WEMDE aims to automate control, its reliance on human oversight hints that operator roles aren’t vanishing – they’re evolving, demanding new skills to partner with, not just monitor AI. 

While WEMDE is an impressive technological advancement, it is not without flaws. Its algorithms[2]sometimes struggle to predict sudden weather changes, such as cloudy days or windless conditions, which can significantly impact solar and wind power generation. As a result, power output can drop causing frequency dips. Although the grid is designed with spinning reserves[3], manual intervention is still often required. Based on my 25 years of experience as a Power Plant Operator managing traditional power plants, such interventions are often essential. 

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) offer a partial solution by releasing stored energy during solar or wind shortfalls (SynergyRED, 2025). However, these batteries must be fully charged and ready to discharge when needed – otherwise, they are ineffective. It’s worth noting that BESS currently contributes only 3% to 5% of the SWIS supply (AEMO, 2025). Expanding BESS capacity is essential for mitigating renewable energy shortfalls. 

Despite advancements in AI and storage technology, human intervention remains critical. As a power plant professional, we are on the front line, ensuring the grid remains stable and operational, avoiding blackouts and load shedding. While weather forecasting and AI tools like WEMDE have improved, they still lack the precision and adaptability needed to replace human expertise (NOAA Scijinks , 2025). Relying solely on AI to manage power generation remains a risky proposition. 

In conclusion, AI is becoming an integral part of the power generation industry, but significant work and research are needed before it can be fully trusted to manage electricity grids. While WEMDE improve efficiency, they cannot yet fully replace human judgement- especially in emergency situations. 

Personally, I am not concerned about AI taking over my role – what worries me more is that our profession as Power control room operators is fading. Few apprentices are entering this field, and with the median age of operators now at 49 years old (Jobs and Skills Australia , 2022), this demographic trend is alarming. Power generation is a vital skill for the future, whether we transition to complete renewables or maintain a hybrid system with gas generation. Ensuring a robust pipeline of skilled operators is as critical as the technology itself for securing a reliable energy future. The future of work in power generation depends on adapting to AI while ensuring human expertise remains central to a reliable electricity supply. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

AEMO. (2024). AEMO about us . doi:https://aemo.com.au/about/who-we-are

AEMO. (2025). AEMO Data Dashboard. doi:https://www.aemo.com.au/energy-systems/electricity/wholesale-electricity-market-wem/data-wem/data-dashboard

AEMO. (2025). AEMO WEMDE . doi:https://aemo.com.au/initiatives/major-programs/past-major-programs/wem-reform-program/implementation/wemde?form=MG0AV3

AEMO. (December, 2022). AEMO Load Shedding Fact Sheet. AEMO. doi:https://aemo.com.au/-/media/files/learn/fact-sheets/load-shedding-fact-sheet.pdf?la=en

Energy Facts Australia . (2018). Energy Facts Australia . (T. C. Council, Producer) doi:https://www.energyfactsaustralia.org.au/explainers/blackouts-explained/

Grid Beyond . (2024 , August ). Grid Beyond . doi:https://gridbeyond.com/frequencyexplained/#:~:text=If%20demand%20exceeds%20supply%2C%20generators,stability%20of%20the%20power%20grid.

Infrastructure Australia . (2020, February 16). Infrastructure Australia . doi:https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/map/south-west-interconnected-system-transformation

Jobs and Skills Australia . (2022). Jobs and Skills Australia . doi:https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/occupation-and-industry-profiles/occupations/399213-power-generation-plant-operators?form=MG0AV3

NOAA Scijinks . (2025, February 20). (J. Stoller-Conrad, Editor, & J. Stoller-Conrad, Producer) doi:https://scijinks.gov/forecast-reliability/

Synergy. (2025). Synergy. doi:https://www.synergy.net.au/About-us/Who-we-are

SynergyRED. (2025). SynergyRED. doi:https://www.synergy.net.au/Our-energy/SynergyRED/Large-Scale-Battery-Energy-Storage-Systems

 

 

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[1] Solar panels generate electricity only during the day and fluctuates depending on cloud conditions. Wind turbines require sufficient wind speeds. 

[2] An Algorithm is a set of instructions designed to solve a problem.

 

[3] Spinning reserve are back up power from traditional power plants that can quickly release power inputs in case of solar energy dips.