I'm Part of a Hosting Community
The energy transition will create new opportunities for communities hosting renewable infrastructure. These can include employment, new trade for local businesses and community benefits like investment in community groups and infrastructure.
At the same time, new projects can also bring changes to local landscapes and communities. That’s why PoweringWA is here to support communities through the transition.
Community benefits
Community benefit arrangements ensure local regional communities can share in the benefits and economic opportunities of our renewable energy transition. They promote fairness, empower local communities and help unlock the opportunities that come with hosting renewable energy infrastructure. PoweringWA has developed a Community Benefits Guideline to support the strong and effective benefits arrangements that deliver meaningful local benefits for host communities.
Near neighbour payments
Voluntary Neighbour Agreements are considered best practice and help ensure any potential wind farm development considers all neighbouring landholders. Importantly, they often include financial reimbursement to the neighbour, to make sure they are compensated for any impact a nearby project might have on their land or amenity.
Benefits of hosting a renewable project
The energy transition will create new opportunities for communities and landowners hosting renewable infrastructure. Opportunities can include new jobs and employment, increased trade for local businesses and community benefits like infrastructure investment. Projects can also provide a steady stream of income for farmers and landowners who host projects on their private land. To support landowners in navigating the opportunities and processes involved in hosting renewable energy infrastructure, PoweringWA has developed a resource for landowners considering hosting wind farm projects, which can be downloaded at the link below:
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Clean wind energy - made in WA
In WA, wind is one of the lowest-cost and most environmentally sustainable electricity generation sources available. However, wind farms are what is known as intermittent sources of energy generation. This is because they stop and start generating electricity at various times of the day, because of factors like weather conditions and wind speed.
This means wind farms must be built across a range of geographic locations so we can maximise the amount of energy they contribute to our energy systems. Many areas across our State are suitable for wind farms - so there will be projects spread out right across WA.
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Why are there new wind farm projects planned for my community?
If a wind farm is being built in your community, or a developer has approached you to ask about building turbines on your land, it is because you live in an area where there are high-quality wind resources, capable of generating large amounts of clean energy all through the year.
Your land may also possess a large amount of cleared space. This is something developers will prioritise when considering locations for new projects, as it often means less impact on the natural environment and can make it easier for a potential project to connect to the grid.
Get in touch
If you have questions, concerns or need help to find more information, please email our PoweringWA Community Support team at PoweringWAsupport@deed.wa.gov.au.
I'm a Landowner
Private landowners, especially those in regional areas, are playing an important role in the State’s energy transition by hosting new renewable generation and energy storage projects.
I'm a Traditional Owner
The State Government is committed to making sure that Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities can participate in the energy transition on their own terms and with the tools and information they need to realise new opportunities.
For Community
WA is modernising its electricity system by delivering new renewable generation, energy storage and transmission projects so we can meet this growth with affordable and reliable low emissions energy.