I'm a Traditional Owner
Western Australia's energy transition won’t just cut emissions. It will also create jobs, power a stronger economy, and deliver modern energy systems that work for all Western Australians. PoweringWA is committed to making sure that Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities can participate in the energy transition with the tools and knowledge they need to realise these opportunities.
Protecting the environment
Climate change is causing more extreme weather events like floods and fires, threatening our environment. By decarbonising our energy systems, we can reduce emissions and help protect our plants and animals for future generations. Aboriginal Peoples have a rich and interconnected relationship with land, water and sky. By working with and listening to Traditional Owners and local Aboriginal Peoples, we can make sure that we deliver the projects we need to decarbonise in the long-term - while respecting the environment and preserving cultural sites and other sites of significance.
New Opportunities
WA’s renewable energy transition offers new opportunities for Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities. New wind, solar and energy storage projects can bring with them the potential for community benefit sharing or project partnership opportunities, like the Yindjibarndi Energy Company.
Project Focus: Yindjibarndi Energy Renewable Energy Project
The Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC), a partnership between Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation and international renewable energy company ACEN Corporation, is advancing ambitious plans to develop, own and operate a suite of renewable energy projects in the Pilbara. This collaboration is advancing a pipeline of large-scale renewable energy projects across Yindjibarndi Country, an area of land spanning approximately 13,000 square kilometres.
The long-term goal is to establish up to 3 gigawatts of renewable generation capacity, delivered across several stages. New transmission links, delivered through the PET Plan, will connect YEC’s on-Country renewable projects to the Maitland Strategic Industrial Area via the priority Chichester Range transmission corridor, facilitating the delivery of clean energy to major industrial and mining operations.
The YEC model centres on shared equity and leadership, with the Yindjibarndi people holding a guaranteed equity stake of between 25% to 50% in all projects and maintaining final approval over all site locations. The YEC is also using projects to stimulate economic growth for their communities, via preferred contracting for Yindjibarndi-owned businesses and the creation of dedicated training and employment pathways.
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.
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.
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 Part of a Nearby Community
The energy transition will create new opportunities for communities hosting renewable infrastructure, including local employment, growth for local businesses and investments in communities and infrastructure.