Conpower

Stephen Brannigan, ‘Branno’ to many at CPP, is Program Manager for New South Wales, leading a team delivering some of the company’s largest and most complex projects.

Direct, technically astute and quietly confident, he has become one of CPP’s most experienced operational leaders.

His fourteen years with the business tell a story that extends well beyond promotions and project titles. Since joining as a high-voltage electrician in 2012, Stephen has steadily taken on greater responsibility, helped deliver many of CPP’s landmark renewable energy projects, and developed people who now occupy leadership roles in the company.

His career reflects something fundamental about CPP: recognising potential, investing in people and giving them the opportunity to grow.

Stephen arrived in Australia from Ireland on a one-year Working Holiday visa, intending to explore new opportunities.

He first crossed paths with CPP at the McArthur Wind Farm in Victoria, where he was employed by a contractor engaged to resolve construction issues. Working alongside Frank Maloney and Davel Duvenage gave him an early insight into the company and the people behind it.

“Frank was a big driver in getting me working at CPP,” Stephen recalls.

After the project wrapped up, Frank received a call.

“Stephen rang me and said, ‘I really like working with you CPP boys — do you have any other work I could get on board?’”

In September 2012, Stephen officially joined CPP. Over the next fourteen years, he progressed through a series of operational and leadership roles, taking on greater responsibility with each opportunity. The roles changed, but his approach remained the same. Looking back, he is quick to credit the people who recognised his potential, challenged him and invested in his development.

The Renewables Division, then led by Dave Evans, was among the first to recognise Stephen’s leadership potential. His focus on productivity, operational efficiency and delivering the best outcomes for the business quickly earned the confidence of both Dave Evans and Steve Drefke. Recognising his ability to lead teams and deliver results, they appointed Stephen to his first supervisory role as Cable Trenching Supervisor on the Bald Hills Wind Farm project.

Andrew Sims also became a trusted colleague as the pair progressed through CPP together.

“We formed a strong bond during that time, delivering multiple wind farm projects across Australia,” Stephen says.

“Andrew knew he could trust me, and we shared the same mindset — focusing on planning, productivity and ensuring everything was done safely.”

– Stephen Brannigan

The mentor he speaks about with the greatest appreciation is Abdul Dabaja.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Abdul,” Stephen says. “When I transferred to the NSW office over seven years ago to take on a Project Manager role, he took the time to mentor me. He helped me understand the financial side of the business, invested in my development, and gave me the confidence to grow into the role.”

Abdul remembers the opportunity arriving with a recommendation from Dave.

“Stephen had the experience, personality and eagerness to succeed,” Abdul says. “I could see it straight away.”

Those experiences have shaped the way Stephen now leads others. Having benefited from people who invested in his growth, he looks for the same potential in those coming through the business today.

Looking back on one of the largest battery projects CPP had delivered at the time, Stephen reflects fondly on working alongside Peter Jefford and the impact his leadership had on the project and the team.

“I see a bit of my younger self in Pete,” he says. “He’s eager, wants to get involved in everything and is always looking to learn. As you gain experience, you learn when to push and when to step back.”

Pete credits Stephen with giving him the confidence and guidance to step into leadership.

“I wouldn’t be the site manager I am without Stephen. No chance.”

Waratah Super Battery became the biggest test of Stephen’s leadership.

It was one of the largest projects in CPP’s history and required a delivery structure unlike anything the company had tackled before. Multiple site managers, project engineers and site engineers all reported through Stephen as the project established a new benchmark for scale and complexity.

For Abdul, the significance extends well beyond the project itself.

“Stephen went from being a site manager running work inside a fence, dealing with nuts and bolts, to managing programming, contracts, procurement and subcontractors, then delivering one of the biggest projects in CPP’s history. That’s a massive achievement.”

– Abdul Dabaja

Frank believes Stephen’s story reflects the company as much as the individual.

“The way Stephen has progressed through the company is a good reflection of Stephen,” he says.

“But it’s also a good reflection of the company. We give people opportunities, and who knows how far they might go.”

Despite leading one of the company’s largest programs, Stephen isn’t looking too far ahead.

For now, his focus is on the Program Manager role, strengthening the New South Wales team and continuing to build capability for the future.

His advice to anyone starting out at CPP is equally straightforward.

Fourteen years after making the phone call that first brought him to CPP, Stephen has become one of the people shaping its future.

The projects he has delivered are significant, but they tell only part of the story. His appointment as Program Manager reflects more than technical capability; it reflects fourteen years of earning trust, developing others and consistently stepping up when the business needed him. Across more than a decade with CPP, Stephen has built a reputation for sharing knowledge, backing his people and creating opportunities for others to grow.

For a company that believes in developing its own people, Stephen’s story is a reminder that long-term commitment works both ways. CPP invested in his potential, and fourteen years later, he is helping build the next generation of leaders.