Making the switch to energy
Meet substation design engineer (civil) Nikki Thomson , who is energising Queensland communities in a different way after making the switch to the electricity industry.
How did you get your start in the industry?
I started my engineering career in 2018 designing pipelines and pump stations before making the transition over to Energy Queensland in 2022.
Now I get to work on substations and power stations across Queensland.
In my career I’ve transitioned from keeping the water running to keeping the lights on!
Outside of work, I’m also Chair of Engineers Australia in Townsville and am passionate about connecting industry with academia.
What projects are you currently working on and who will they benefit?
The projects I’m working on span across Queensland from as far north as the Torres Strait Islands to inland through to Doomadgee and down to Windorah.
Some of the most rewarding projects include providing renewable energy to remote communities. We’ve got major solar farm projects in Doomadgee, Windorah, Boulia and Burketown that will save millions of litres in diesel each year - a big step in the right direction for sustainable energy.
What excites you about the future of energy and your role in it? ?
I’m excited to be part of our transition to renewable energy.
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It’s great to see the impact our projects have on shaping the communities we live in while delivering reliable, sustainable, and affordable power.
You live in regional Queensland – how has that influenced your thinking?
Living in regional Queensland has given me an appreciation of the diversity of needs within each community.
There isn’t a one-size-fits all solution when it comes to providing power.
Each town has its unique challenges, whether that’s finding skilled labour, maintaining ageing assets, or keeping up with growing populations and new technologies.
How are you supporting customers, communities and industry in the energy transition?
I think it’s important to learn from our people on the ground to understand what works and what can work better; by doing this we can improve how we support our customers, communities and industry.
What would you say to anyone considering a career at Energy Queensland?
There’s no better place to be – Energy Queensland has great projects, great conditions, and even better people. It’s an exciting time to work in energy!