Adapting to renewable energy: a mixed methods exploration of safety culture and training needs in Australia’s electricity distribution industry

Introduction: As the electricity distribution industry transitions to renewable energy, network operators face increasing complexity, variability, and time-critical demands. Addressing these challenges requires not only robust technical systems, but also a strong safety culture supported by targeted organizational training. Effective training prepares operators to manage emerging risks, enhancing both safety outcomes and operational efficiency. Method: This mixed-methods study examined safety culture and training needs within the Australian electricity distribution industry. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 network operators from 7 organizations. Additionally, 50 network operators from 9 organizations completed an online survey on two occasions, six months apart, measuring safety culture and the frequency and recency of organizational training. Results: Interviews highlighted three themes: (a) safety as a recognized priority, (b) predominantly reactive responses to safety issues, and (c) deficiencies in current training and development opportunities. Survey findings showed that more frequent training was associated with stronger safety culture perceptions , although these results should be interpreted as preliminary given the modest matched sample size. Conclusion: By providing preliminary quantitative evidence linking training frequency with safety culture, supported by rich qualitative insights, this study offers timely operator-level perspectives to inform ongoing industry reforms. Addressing training gaps will better prepare the workforce for the challenges of a renewable energy future. Practical applications: The findings highlight the need for proactive safety strategies and tailored, recurrent training programs to address the evolving demands of renewable integration. Implementing such initiatives can reinforce safety culture, build operator confidence, and enhance system reliability.