“We’re investing in an idea. Ownership of everything. The time has passed where communities rely on a broken system, and we out at Djarindjin don’t believe the system works for us.” 

That's Nathan McIvor talking, CEO of Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation some 200km north of Broome in Western Australia, about their proposed First Nations-led renewable energy project.

Djarindjin's Aalga Goorlil 'Sun Turtle’ Djarindjin Community Power Project 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 energy storage system (BESS) will connect to the Djarindjin Lombadina microgrid.

The aim is to reduce diesel dependence and disconnections, and lower energy costs. Once operational, the solar farm will meet 80% of the electricity needs of the Djarindjin and Lombadina communities, while a back-up diesel generation facility will reportedly be upgraded and operated by Horizon Power to provide the other 20% to meet the balance of the communities' needs.

In April 2026 the $12 million project was unanimously awarded planning approval by the WA Regional Development Assessment Panel, with the Panel stating their reasons as:

The panel agreed the essential infrastructure development supports community self-sufficiency, and broader benefits including training and employment.

Everyone deserves access to clean, reliable affordable power

We look forward to seeing significant investment into this visionary First Nations-led renewable energy project.