The forum will take place at the Fort Scratchley Function Centre in Newcastle on Thursday, May 4.

The event will address the future of Australia’s energy markets and includes guest speakers Jim Snow, executive director of Oakley Greenwood and Adjunct Professor UQ, as well as Alister Alford, formerly acting general manager of Marketing for Delta Electricity.

A panel discussion with both speakers and a range of energy industry experts will take place.

Professor Snow will present on the causes, potential impacts and possible solutions for the East Coasts natural gas crisis.

Mr Alford will discuss the National Electricity Market and its current woes – high prices, declining base load generation, and the market challenges associate with more reliance on intermittent renewable generation.

Mr Fitzgibbon and Weston Energy CEO Garbis Simonian will also be on the panel.

"Resolving the energy crisis we should never have had will require sound policy and cooperation across all levels of government," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

"Among the solution must be the defeat of those who take an ideological approach to the exploitation of our gas resources.

"All three levels of government have a role to play in making sure gas plays a role in our transition to renewables and in the creation and maintenance of jobs in our region.

"I congratulate the AIE for stimulating this important debate"

Seating may be limited, for a 4.30pm start, so register online at www.aie.org.au by Monday, May 1.