Dennis Barnes has experience in New Zealand's energy markets and large scale asset investment.
Mr Barnes was the chief executive of Contact Energy, a nine-year role during which he led that company's investment in renewable energy and flexible generation (including construction of the Te Mihi geothermal power station, the development of the Tauhara field, and the introduction in 2011 of the Ahuroa gas storage facility and Stratford peaking plant). Prior to that, Mr Barnes had managed Origin Energy's portfolio of wholesale markets activities.