Genus has timed its run perfectly, becoming an esteemed services provider just as the energy transformation accelerates.
The energy transformation is reshaping the power and communications landscape, with the demand for green technologies opening new commercial pathways for service and infrastructure providers.
This has seen clean-energy adopters, whether it be government entities, energy providers or mining companies, to name a few, turn to Genus to help set them up for a new era of power generation.
To keep up with its growing customer base and reputation in energy circles, Genus understands that it needs to continue adding talent at both executive and operational levels.
Enter David Fyfe.
Having spent 10 years at Western Power, culminating in him serving as acting chief executive officer (CEO), and serving as CEO of Western Australia’s largest energy provider, Synergy, Fyfe recently joined Genus as chief operating officer.
Fyfe, who lives and breathes energy in both a leadership and operational sense, has made a habit of delivering large-scale energy projects on-time and on-budget.
Having achieved plenty at Synergy, Fyfe felt it was time for a new chapter.
“Synergy was getting a lot of recognition for the work we were doing, and I’d set the company up to deliver its decarbonisation projects,” he told Australian Mining.
“I felt the business was in good shape, so I thought it was time to explore a new opportunity. This is where Genus entered the picture.”
Fyfe said he was attracted to Genus’ “phenomenal growth profile”, where revenue has grown significantly in recent years and the forecast looks strong, with the company winning several landmark contracts in recent months.
Genus’ culture was another drawcard.
“I love the culture here,” Fyfe said. “There are no egos – Genus is about building relationships both internally and externally.
“The company is experiencing profound growth, has listed on the ASX, is rapidly growing its reputation in the eastern states. So it felt like a fantastic new challenge for me.”
The power sector is calling on reliable, multi-disciplined partners to support it through the energy transition. This is seeing providers turn to Genus, which can provide end-to-end renewable energy and transmission capabilities.
“Genus is the local supplier for stage one and two of Synergy’s Kwinana Battery Energy Storage System project – the first project of its kind in Western Australia,” Fyfe said.
“So we’re seeing Genus’ experience in delivering batteries become increasingly known across Australia, while the company also has a strong history of building solar farms for clients.
“Most of these projects require access to transmission networks as well, which has long been Genus’ bread and butter. So you’ve got an organisation that can do a lot more than most and has great end-to-end experience in building renewable projects.”
Genus has made several acquisitions in recent years to further advance its strategic objectives, which Fyfe said leaves the company in good stead for the future.
“Through the addition of Partum Engineering (acquired in December 2024), we can better handle the engineering and design of future energy projects, while CommTel (acquired in October 2024) is a leader in large-scale, mission-critical communications technology for power utilities,” he said.
“These acquisitions further enhance Genus’ end-to-end offering, which in turn reduces risks for clients as they can rely on the one organisation to deliver an entire project.”
Many of Genus’ recent contract wins will see the company deliver energy projects in the eastern states. This includes contracts with Ausgrid for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone sub-transmission line works, TasNetworks for stage one of the North West transmission developments project, and Transgrid for the HumeLink transmission project.
“With the work that we’re now doing with Transgrid, Ausgrid and TasNetworks in the eastern states, our brand is now getting traction at the right levels right across Australia,” Fyfe said.
And having partnered with the likes of Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Roy Hill, BHP and Northern Star Resources, Fyfe said Genus is strongly placed to grow its presence in east-coast mining sectors.
“This will no doubt help Genus’ cause as we expand into the east-coast mining sector,” he said.
As part of its expansion, Genus will be able to call on its experience building four substations and a 220km-long power grid as part of stage one of Fortescue’s Pilbara Generation project.
This complements the company’s longstanding partnership with Rio Tinto, having worked with the major miner on ongoing projects since 2010.
This feature appeared in the June 2025 issue of Australian Mining.
