A dynamic group of 24 First Nations emerging leaders have completed the First Nations Clean Energy Network’s 2026 PowerMakers held this year in Mulubinba from 26-29 October 2026.
The Network’s clean energy capacity building program provides an understanding of clean energy technologies, project development, and the Australian energy landscape.
It is designed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to pursue clean reliable affordable energy, spearhead clean energy initiatives, and make a positive impact both within their communities.
Taking First Nations leadership of the clean energy transition in Australia to the next level, this year’s participants came into the program identifying a raft of challenges and barriers, and left with intent to turn problems into solutions.
Dealing with multiple proponents knocking on the door was a common story, with one participant telling the group, “Do not be scared to tell them what you want because if you don't, they're going to get away with murder.
“You must keep going forward to help your family and your community.”
Developing early engagement, cultural and governance protocols, community energy planning and economic development strategies, and a clear vision of what a group or community wants to achieve in any negotiation, was a key point of focus.
As one participant noted,
“If you don’t put it on the table, you don’t get it.”
Participants explored clean energy project development, including the steps to take from conducting community energy planning all the way through to feasibility, understanding the risk and the opportunities, and ensuring the community is on board every step of the way.
Participants also gained insight into negotiation tactics that can be used with clean energy project developers and government interests to get a seat at the table and realise benefit sharing or other aspirations.
One participant shared,
“Know what your power is in the negotiation. Clean energy companies tend to come to their negotiation with an idea of what they’ve got to offer. First Nations groups can do the same.”
A number of external speakers presented to the group, with one legal panel member noting, First Nations groups can build political power by understanding and taking control of the agenda, setting out clearly their interests and expectations, and another noting that companies get a benefit from announcing partnerships with First Nations, so First Nations should be aware of this and also leverage the value they create.
Innovative finance and lending models and options for accessing grant, debt and equity, were also explored by this year’s PowerMakers, using the growing number of examples of First Nations clean energy equity partnerships and projects in Australia.
Federal and State/Territory legislation and regulation supporting First Nations community and economic development outcomes in Australia’s clean energy transition was also reviewed, as were incentivised schemes such as the Federal government’s Capacity Investment Scheme, with participants calling for a review of proponent’s implementation of their First Nations and social licence commitments to ensure proponents contractual obligations were being met.
Continuing to care and be responsible for Country and living systems was another key issue shared. Participants talked about connection to land, land ownership, and sovereign equity from a cultural perspective, and explored opportunities to build wealth and manage assets on Country.
Across the board, participants were interested in further collaboration with other groups and nations to learn from each other’s wins and challenges, further possible energy and finance opportunities, and importantly, to ensure no one is left behind.
“We have the solutions in place, we just need the tools, and PowerMakers provides those tools,” says Karrina Nolan, Chair of the First Nations Clean Energy Network.
PowerMakers left the program with clear aspirations for sharing what they learnt back in their home communities, activating younger people, and moving mob towards building clean energy solutions in collaboration with other nations.
PowerMakers 2026 concluded with First Nations participants inspired to work with community on developing a community energy plan, undertaking capacity building with mob, collaborating with other Nations for better outcomes, and much more.
One participant told the group: “We kind of have an energy plan, and doing PowerMakers has confirmed we’re on the right track.
Another said, “This is a huge opportunity for us to work together.
“Where we’re located, coal mining has ripped apart our people. With clean energy, we can bring everyone back together.”
The next PowerMakers will be held in 2027.
Photos by Mitch Drescher