Aalga Goorlil means 'Sun Turtle’.
The turtle is the official symbol for the Djarindjin community 'living on the hill’ on the Dampier Peninsula, some 200km north of Broome in Western Australia.
The local Bardi and Jawi population are saltwater people who were granted native title in 2005.
The Western Australian government formally recognised the Djarindjin community under the Aboriginal Communities Act 1979 in March 2024 after decades of advocacy.
Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation is the incorporated Djarindjin community recognised under the Act. It is led by a Board which is 100% First Nations, and its members are 100% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, namely Bard, Bardi and Jawi people, and their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spouses or partners.
We believe in self-determination, we are practising that, we are doing that, and we believe we are in the best position to demonstrate self-determination for our community and our people. We’re now going into providing our own power for the community through renewable energy.
Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation has adopted a net zero emissions target for the community of 82% renewable electricity by 2030 in line with the Federal Government's commitment, with the community-owned Djarindjin Community Power project being central to that effort.
The project: 100% First Nations-owned
"Community buy-in is not theoretical here. We have backed ourselves because we know what is at stake.” Nathan McIvor, DAC chief executive (2025)
The Aalga Goorlil 'Sun Turtle’ Djarindjin Community Power Project aims to significantly reduce local dependence on non-renewable energy sources, lower energy costs, and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.
It will be WA’s first 100% First Nations-owned solar battery power station.
Over 3000 solar panels, set in the shape of a turtle, and a 3.25 megawatt battery storage system will connect to the Djarindjin Lombadina microgrid.
The seven-hectare solar farm should meet 80% of the electricity needs of the Djarindjin and Lombadina communities, while a back-up diesel generation facility will be upgraded and operated by Horizon Power to provide the other 20% to meet the balance of the communities' needs.
Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation as the project proponent will own 100% of the facility. No other entity will take an equity stake in the project.
Revenues from the project will support Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation's capacity to continue and expand upon its role as the largest employer of First Nations people on the Dampier Peninsula, and to deliver and subsidise critical services for the benefit of its community and neighbouring communities. It will grow local Aboriginal employment and training, and overall capacity for work of this nature on the Dampier Peninsula.
It will also deliver on Djarindjin's Binimal Aambooriny Strong People Health Living strategy by supporting better environmental, economic and social outcomes.
“It's the first of its kind for a remote Aboriginal community in Western Australia. It will support the economic independence of the community, the diversification of its revenue streams, and the building of capacity within the community and across the Dampier Peninsula to build, operate and maintain critical infrastructure, and is an example of self-determination at work.
The project demonstrates how Aboriginal environmental values and stewardship can be realised through Aboriginal community participation in the energy sector and enable the industry to enhance lives and livelihoods, respond to local aspirations and conditions, and support wellbeing for the country and its people; a significant reset for how an extractive, economy-centric sector like energy ordinarily considers and affects the environment."
Nathan McIvor, Chief Executive Officer of Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation
Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation is committed to sharing the lessons of its project with other First Nations communities to support them in undertaking renewable energy developments in their communities.
Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation has been recognised for its outstanding independent commercial enterprises, leadership and governance, and commitment to developing the region over many years, most recently as recipient in 2024 of the Indigenous Governance Award for large corporations, with Chairman Brian Lee being appointed as an Ambassador for Aboriginal Enterprises in Mining Energy and Exploration Ltd, and the CEO being awarded Business Person of the Year by the Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and looks forward to continuing to grow its success and be a catalyst for change through this project.
How it was set up
Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation set up a wholly owned subsidiary, Aalga Goolil Djarindjin Community Power Pty Ltd, to build, own, operate and maintain the solar and battery power station.
They plan to negotiate a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Horizon Power (the Western Australian government-owned network service provider).
Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation will deliver the project with a team of key service providers, including Amboranj Power Pty Ltd, a majority First Nations-owned joint venture company with partners Patrick Greechan of Kaynar Group, AMPERES Pty Ltd and Unlimited Energy Australia.
Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation has engaged the services of:
- Amboranj Power Pty Ltd as engineering, procurement, construction and management service provider
- RFF Pty Ltd to secure relevant approvals and permits and undertake associated clearances and surveys
- Lamattina Legal to support legal negotiations, governance, procurement and compliance
- Hall Chadwick WA to support financial management and reporting
- Criterion Audit Pty Ltd to provide independent auditing services
Where’s it up to
In December 2024, Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation was awarded $5 million in conditional grant funding from the Western Australia government’s Lower Carbon Grants Program - Gorgon Fund to progress the Aalga Goorlil 'Sun Turtle’ Djarindjin Community Power Project. The balance of project costs is reportedly being met through Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation's own resources and financing arrangements.
In April 2026, the project was awarded planning approval by the WA Regional Development Assessment Panel.
More information
Email proponent: [email protected]