Indhi Nayagar

Chartered Professional Engineer CPEng, NER, APEC Engineer, IntPE(Aus)

Fellow of Engineers Australia (FIEAust)

Executive MBA, University of Melbourne

Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) (Honours), RMIT University

Advanced Diploma of Electrical Engineering, RMIT University

05/2024 – Present - Executive Director, AREFA Group

06/2024 – 04/2025 - National Energy Sector Lead, Agonis Group

01/2023 – 10/2024 - Executive Director, SAB Group: Projects and Infrastructure solutions

02/2022 – 01/2023 - Project Management & Advisory Lead (Rail, Energy & Industrial), Aurecon

03/2020 – 02/2022 - PMO & Advisory Practice Lead, Middleton Group

04/2013 – 03/2020 - Group Head of Engineering, Gear Rail

12/2009 – 04/2013 - Senior Project Engineer, ThyssenKrupp

10/2007 – 11/2009 - Electrical Engineer, Aurecon

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SELECTED PROJECT EXAMPLES

POWERCOR/CITIPOWER/UNITED ENERGY – PRINCIPAL TECHNICAL ADVISOR

2024 - Current

Indhi is currently a Principle Technical Advisor to the CK Infrastructure Holdings group of companies in Victora, Australia. He has Developed high-voltage transmission design standards and operational processes for three Victorian electricity distribution networks (Powercor, CitiPower, United Energy). This technical advisory project established new 132 kV, 220 kV and 500 kV design philosophy frameworks, streamlined grid connection procedures, and enhanced risk management approaches for network expansion.

Responsibilities Include: –

• Led the development of the utilities’ transmission standards and design philosophies,
• Reviewed and improved existing connection processes, and
• Created operations and maintenance frameworks and standards development.

Energy Transition, TSA ADVISORY – EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT

2024-2025

National Energy strategy development and organisational delivery transition

Responsibilities Include: –

• PMO and Project Controls framework development
• Engineering and Advisory Teams skills and capability assessment
• National and State based Energy Sector Growth strategy development.
• National and State based Energy Sector Budget development.
• Change management process development for resource and revenue transition.

VNI WEST (KERANG LINK INTERCONNECTOR), TRANSGRID – PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT

2022 – 2023

A proposed A$3.8 billion high-voltage interconnector between Victoria and New South Wales, also known as Kerang Link. This project is aimed at enhancing grid resilience and transferring renewable energy between states by establishing a new 500 kV transmission corridor.

Responsibilities Include: –

• Provided Technical Assurance and Design Management
• Developed capital cost estimates and the business case/ROI analysis,
• Developed Asset Lifecycle Maintenance and Operational requirements
• Developed Construction Strategy development, Risk Analysis and Early & Enabling Works requirements.

WESTERN RENEWABLES LINK, TRANSGRID – DESIGN, PROCUREMENT & DELIVERY LEAD

2021 – 2022

A A$1.4 billion project to build a new 500 kV transmission line connecting renewable energy zones in western Victoria to Melbourne’s urban centres.

Responsibilities Include: –

• Provided overall design leadership and technical assurance for the project.
• Developed capital cost estimates and the business case/ROI analysis,
• Oversaw land approvals and acquisitions,
• Managed stakeholder and community engagement,
• Developed Asset Lifecycle Maintenance and Operational requirements
• Formulated construction strategies, Risk Analysis and Early & Enabling Works requirements.

RIT-D (Regulatory Investment Test) UNITED ENERGY/ POWERCOR/ CITY POWER: EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT

2024

Responsibilities Include: –

• Critical network assets renewal programme development
• Asset lifecycle risk assessment
• FMECA and RAM studies
• Business case development for 5-year Network Assets Plan for submission to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER)
• Engineering Management

MELBOURNE AIRPORT RAIL, RAIL PROJECTS VICTORIA – TECHNICAL ADVISOR LEAD

2020 – 2023

A A$10 billion project to deliver a new heavy rail link connecting Melbourne’s CBD to Melbourne Airport via Sunshine, including new tracks, bridges, and stations integrated with the existing rail network.

Responsibilities Include: –

• Oversaw the technical advisory and design related work conducted by the technical advisor and D&C contractors. Managed the Global Aurecon-Jacobs-Mott MacDonald JV team of subject matter experts and design engineers.
• Supported the project's Engineering Assurance requirements and led the technical engagements with impacted stakeholders inclusive of the Department of Transport; the Operator (Metro Trains Melbourne); Ausnet Services and Powercor CityPower.
• Areas of focus: traction power; HV terminal and substation connection design and build (Sydenham TS,North Melbourne, South Yarra); earthing, bonding and electrolysis;

EMI/EMC SUBURBAN RAIL LOOP – TECHNICAL ADVISOR LEAD

2020 – 2023

A A$36 billion program to construct a new 90-km orbital rapid transit line through Melbourne’s middle suburbs, delivered in multiple phases.

Responsibilities Include: –

• Oversaw the technical advisory; reference design; environmental, planning and approvals related work conducted by the technical advisor.
• Areas of focus: Traction Power; HV terminal and substation connection design and agreements; earthing, bonding, and electrolysis; EMI/EMC

NORTH EAST LINK (TUNNEL PROJECT), NORTH EAST LINK PROGRAM – INDEPENDENT REVIEWER (HV SYSTEMS)

2022 - 2023

A A$11.1 billion project to build Victoria’s longest road tunnels, connecting the M80 Ring Road to the Eastern Freeway in Melbourne. The project includes new tunnels, interchanges, and upgrades to surface roads, along with significant electrical and control systems to operate tunnel infrastructure and manage safety systems, with interfaces to nearby rail and utility networks.

Responsibilities Include: –

• Served as Independent Reviewer of the project's HV Power Systems design packages inclusive of the Tunnel's interfaces with existing Rail, Road and substation infrastructure as part of the AAA JV in Melbourne, Victoria.

GOORAMBAT EAST TERMINAL STATION TENDER DESIGN, AUSNET SERVICES – SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

2022

Aurecon was commissioned to prepare the tender-stage design for Neoen’s 50 MW solar farm connection at Ausnet’s Goorambat East Terminal Station. The scope included full electrical and civil engineering deliverables for a new 220 kV line cut-in, substation modifications and protection/control schematics to support a compliant, construction-ready bid.

Responsibilities Include: –

• Led Aurecon’s global design team (Australia, South Africa, Philippines) in delivering tender-design services.

METRO TUNNEL PARKVILLE PRECINCT (EMI/EMC RISK MANAGEMENT), DEPT. OF TRANSPORT & DEPT. OF HEALTH – EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT

2021 – 2024

As part of the A$11 billion Melbourne Metro Tunnel project, a new underground station at Parkville is being constructed adjacent to critical health and research facilities (including the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and University of Melbourne). This required ensuring that electromagnetic emissions from the new rail line do not disrupt hospital equipment and research operations in the “Parkville Health Precinct.”

Responsibilities Include: –

• Served as the Technical Lead on works and Infrastructure Development EMI/EMC integration risk.
• Performed the Operations and Critical Asset lifecycle risk assessment and mitigation for Royal Melbourne Hospital, PeterMac Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital, VCCC and the University of Melbourne.
• Technical requirements for asset and operational risk mitigation.
• Business case development for new property and asset acquisition.
• Technical Assurance and whole of life cost analysis for new State asset development, construction, commissioning, and maintenance.

MAJUBA RAIL PROJECT (COAL LINE TO POWER STATION), ESKOM (SOUTH AFRICA) – PRINCIPAL ENGINEERING MANAGER

2018 – 2020

A US$120 million project to design and construct a new heavy-haul rail line linking a coal mine to the 4,110 MW Majuba Power Station in South Africa. The project encompassed electrified rail infrastructure, signalling and communications systems, and interfaces with power station operations to ensure a reliable coal supply chain.

Responsibilities Include: –

• As Group Head of Engineering Indhi took on the Principal Engineering Manager role for the Majuba project.
• This entailed oversight, review and signoff across all design packages- HV power systems; traction power; electronic interlocking with distributed element control; fibre and telecontrol; trackside equipment and condition monitoring systems on a brand-new coal line link for Eskom's Majuba Power Station.

TFR DE AAR TO JAN DE BOERS, TRANSNET FREIGHT RAIL – PROJECT DIRECTOR

2015-2019

A US$80 million project, this line is part of TFR's broader network, which includes six major rail corridors across South Africa. TFR is a key component of the freight logistics chain in South Africa, moving goods to and from ports and throughout the country.

Responsibilities include:

• Track works, point sets, station power system works, communication and signalling systems across 84 stations within the TFR rail network.

NIGERIAN NATIONAL RAIL NETWORK UPGRADE, NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION – PROJECT

DEVELOPMENT & DELIVERY DIRECTOR

2013 – 2015

A US$100 million program to rehabilitate and modernize approximately 90% of Nigeria’s national railway network. This extensive brownfield upgrade covered thousands of kilometres of track and infrastructure, improving civil works (track and structures), station power supply, signalling and communication systems, and implementing a new centralized train control system to enhance capacity and safety across both freight and passenger operations.

Responsibilities Include: –

• Civil works, track works, point sets, station power system works, communication systems and a centrally controlled railway management system utilising on-board Locomotive Controllers.

MEDUPI COAL STOCK YARD, ESKOM HOLDINGS ($150M)

2011-13

Indhi was the electrical, control and instrumentation Lead and Construction Manager on this EPC greenfield project for the Coal Stockyard at the 4th Largest Coal Fired PowerStation in the World (Medupi).

Responsibilities include:

• The complete electrical, control and instrumentation design, construction and implementation of a fully functional, Autonomous coal handling system, which included 9 conveyor systems(4000tph), 7 transfer houses, 2 Coal Stacking machines(4000tph), 2 Coal Drum Reclaim machines(3400tph), and 3 Mobile reclaim feeders(1000tph).

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