This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the intergenerational wealth of First Peoples in this country through renewable energy projects and jobs.

This report identifies pathways and options for First Nations to be supported to enter the workforce in the clean energy sector and be able to access the quality job opportunities and career pathways as they emerge. We are not the first and won’t be the last to identify that employment can lead to self-determination and empowerment of First Nations. 

Our report Powering First Nations Jobs in Clean Energy addresses a critical aspect of our mission: increasing access to training, creating employment, and building career paths in the clean energy sector for First Nations Australians. As we all know, building longer-term employment and skill development — focusing on 'careers not jobs’ — is a primary pathway to generational wealth building for First Nations Australians.

Download the report here

First Nations groups feeling a sense of urgency about the opportunities clean energy can bring in terms of access to energy, jobs, business development, and First Nations wealth generation on Country are calling for significant action and bold Federal Budget ambition at this year's First Nations Clean Energy Symposium happening in Adelaide on 8-9 May 2024.

A remote First Nations community in the Northern Territory will soon have access to renewable energy while also bringing down their power bill.

The energy transformation in New South Wales has included a range of initiatives for First Nations people. 

First Nations people can and should benefit from the renewable energy revolution, including from small community-based projects to large scale export-focused initiatives, and also through the development of new supply chains and industries.

South Australia is a global leader in renewable energy. Driven by high quality wind resources and rooftop solar in a smaller electricity market, renewable energy supplies around 70% of SA's electricity consumption. SA has one of the highest market shares for renewable energy in the world and has a target for 100% renewable energy by 2030. 

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Thanks to Neoen for the image of the 150 MW Hornsdale Power Reserve

Despite significant energy justice issues, there is great opportunity for First Nations to play a leading role in the clean energy industry in Queensland, particularly given the scale of projects proposed.

Queensland has very strong solar resources, and also high quality and nationally competitive wind resources and there is clearly much potential for the development of clean energy projects on First Nations-titled lands. 

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This policy overview was drafted with assistance from Elizabeth McDonald, Director at Chalk & Behrendt  and Taryn Lane, consultant and Manager of Hepburn Community Wind Farm. 

Thanks to Hoshi Moshi for the image!

Ensuring First Nations people and communities participate in and benefit from the clean energy transition is the focus of a community roundtable in Alice Springs on 16-17 May 2023.