The future of Australia’s east coast gas market will be front and centre at the 2026 Australian Energy Producers Conference & Exhibition in Adelaide next month, as industry leaders, policymakers and market experts examine the current Gas Market Review and its implications for energy security, investment and long-term policy settings.
Dedicated plenary sessions will focus on east coast market dynamics and reform priorities, examining issues at the heart of the review, from supply adequacy and investment signals to regulatory design and the market outlook over the next decade.
With demand for reliable and affordable energy continuing, the challenge for policymakers is clear — ensuring sufficient domestic gas supply while maintaining Australia’s position as a trusted exporter to the region. The Review comes at a critical time, as geopolitical tensions intensify and supply constraints sharpen, underscoring the need to restore confidence and unlock new projects.
These issues will be explored across the program, bringing together industry, regulators and market experts to assess how current settings are influencing investment decisions and where change may be required. A central question will be how to move beyond the current patchwork of interventions toward a more streamlined, fit-for-purpose framework that supports a competitive and well-supplied gas market.
Discussions will also examine the impact of more than a decade of policy interventions, and the pathway to a clearer and more sustainable system that ensure Australia can remain globally competitive in attracting capital. The design of potential mechanisms including a prospective reservation framework linked to new supply will be a key consideration, alongside the need for flexible settings that reflect market conditions and avoid unintended consequences.
For industry, the priority is clear: the reforms must support continued investment in new supply. Without it, forecasts point to tightening conditions in the east coast market over the coming years, increasing the risk of shortfalls and higher prices for households and businesses.
A stable and competitive regulatory environment will be central to this task. Investors require certainty to commit capital to long-term projects, particularly in a global market where jurisdictions are competing for energy investment. Unpredictable or overly complex settings risk undermining confidence and delaying critical supply.
The outcomes of the Gas Market Review will have far-reaching implications not only for the gas sector, but for the broader economy. Manufacturing, mining and other energy-intensive industries depend on reliable supply, while households rely on affordable energy to manage cost-of-living pressures.
Beyond these discussions, the 2026 Conference & Exhibition offers a comprehensive platform to engage with the full breadth of issues shaping the energy sector. With more than 2,000 delegates, 130+ speakers and 100+ exhibitors, the event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, investors and technology providers from across Australia and around the world.
The exhibition floor will showcase the latest technologies, services and innovations supporting the sector from digital solutions and operational technologies to infrastructure, logistics and supply chain capability. It provides a valuable opportunity for delegates to connect directly with providers driving efficiency, safety and performance across the industry.
Across four days, the program will span key themes including energy security, market reform, decarbonisation, technology and investment complemented by networking events and panel discussions designed to foster collaboration and new partnerships.
For those looking to understand the forces shaping the sector and the opportunities ahead the Australian Energy Producers Conference remains the must-attend event on the industry calendar.
Secure your place at the 2026 Australian Energy Producers Conference & Exhibition in Adelaide 18–21 May.
