First Nations Clean Energy Network
The Groundswell team was excited to learn about the launch of the First Nations Clean Energy Network, spearheaded by a group of First Nations cultural leaders including Karrina Nolan, Executive Director of Original Power and founding Advisor of Groundswell Giving. We caught up with their team to learn more about the project and what it will mean for First Nations communities across the country.
Terry Collins installs panels on the roof of Marlinja community centre
With UN climate talks over and Australia’s climate plans relying on the rapid growth of large scale clean energy projects, the First Nations Clean Energy Network is a powerful new project to ensure the transition occurs in partnership with First Nations communities, sharing its jobs and economic benefits, protecting sacred sites and respecting native title.
The Network will support First Nations communities and business enterprises to manage clean energy projects, from small community projects to large-scale, export focussed initiatives.
“The Network will ensure First Nations people are key players in Australia’s clean energy revolution. As demand drives new renewable energy zones, our consent will be more critical than ever. We’ll provide the networks, training and resources so we sit powerfully at the table and negotiate just benefits for our communities, while helping to address climate change.”
Karrina Nolan with students at a Solar Schools day hosted by Original Power at Newcastle Waters primary school
Indigenous land title covers half of the land mass of Australia, encompassing many of our richest renewable energy resources including sun, wind and waters. With Infrastructure Australia, AEMO and others backing the expansion of new renewable energy zones to meet demand, First Nations’ land and consent will be more critical than ever. The opportunity of renewable energy should and can be available to all. But for many First Nations communities affordable secure and clean power is not yet a reality.
“The Network will support local First Nations communities experiencing extreme temperatures and expensive, unreliable power, to install clean energy projects.”
The First Nations Clean Energy Network was founded to ensure First Nations people are part of the renewable energy revolution, from household solar through to incubation of community-owned projects and equitable arrangements for large scale renewable projects. This will require investment and a supportive government policy framework and a commitment from industry and investors to apply best practice principles.
The Network will make sure clean energy is done the right way, driven by communities and developed so it sustains country and culture for generations to come. It will ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are able to participate in and benefit equitably from the scaling of renewable energy generation and production, creating jobs, building skills and stronger communities, while addressing climate change which threatens country and people.
Ethan Godrey installing solar at Marlinja
The Network will also assert the right to consent, or not, to projects on country, ensuring some of the mistakes of the extractive industry are not repeated, so First Nations communities share in the benefits as renewable energy expands, while protecting cultural heritage.
“The clean energy industry wants to put its best foot forward through genuine collaboration with First Nations communities, respecting the Indigenous Estate, sharing the benefits of clean energy through sustainable and equitable practice and protecting an ancient culture. This Network will be invaluable in achieving this mission.”
The First Nations Clean Energy Network will pursue three key pillars:
Community: Enable communities to drive the development of clean energy projects that provide direct benefits to residents through reduced household energy costs and more reliable energy, with its associated health and social benefits.
Industry Partnerships: Establish an innovation hub, promoting the implementation of best practice principles that underpin agreements for land use and benefit sharing between First Nations groups, companies and investors, while building capacity through training and employment for First Nations people to participate in the renewable energy sector.
Policy reform: Advocate to lift significant federal and state regulatory barriers to renewable energy development and stoke government investment in technology, innovation and infrastructure.
Installing solar at Marlinja community, NT
Case study: Marlinja, NT - Community Solar Project
The Marlinja Community Solar Project is a community-led initiative to improve household and community-wide energy security for residents of the Marlinja outstation.
Marlinja, in the Northern Territory’s Barkly Tablelands, is home to 60 people. Like many similar communities, residents experience extreme energy insecurity, with high household power costs and regular periods where electricity is disconnected. With wet season temperatures in the mid-40s and overcrowded, poorly designed housing, securing reliable and affordable energy for essential needs is a significant problem for many households.
Phase 1 of this project saw the connection of a solar array on the Community Centre, reducing power bills. Residents were involved in project planning, installation of rooftop solar panels, and received training in electrical technology and carpentry skills. Marlinja school students also took part in a Solar Schools Day to learn more about how solar power works for the community.
Phase 2 is now underway, with plans to install a 100kW solar array, inverters and home battery systems, providing enough power for all 13 community households.
First Nations Clean Energy Network
Head to their website to learn more and sign up as a supporter today.
