Western Australia’s energy transition, including the shift towards large-scale renewable energy projects, is increasingly occurring on First Nations land. In this context, ensuring that the transition delivers meaningful and lasting benefits for First Nations people and communities is a critical policy and governance issue. 

Given the complex interaction between native title, Crown land management and private property rights, there is an ongoing need to carefully consider how First Nations rights and interests are recognised and protected, and how the economic and social benefits of renewable energy development are equitably shared with the Traditional Owners whose lands are central to the transition.

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Over $8 million in Federal government funding is available now for First Nations communities, groups and organisations seeking advice and engagement on planning, pursuing, negotiating or learning about clean energy opportunities.

Federal government grant monies are now available for First Nations communities, organisations and groups for advice and engagement on planning, negotiating or pursuing clean energy projects in homes, communities and on Country.

The grants are made available as part of implementing the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy 2024-2030 – a commitment by all energy ministers in Australia to ensure First Nations communities are powered with clean energy, enabled in equitable partnerships, and are achieving economic benefits. 

New research shows investor backing of First Nations participation in clean energy projects offers mutual benefit for investors and First Nations groups and reduces project risk, cost and delay. 

Australia’s energy transition offers an opportunity for cooperation and mutual financial benefit for investors and First Nations groups.

First Nations people, communities and groups are increasingly looking to co-design, lead and partner or own renewable energy systems. 

It is estimated that 43% of all clean energy infrastructure required to get Australia to net zero emissions by 2060 will be sited in regional and remote areas where First Nations groups and communities have rights, interests and aspirations.

Even outside these areas, First Nations groups are rights-holders and represent an integral stakeholder in Australia’s clean energy transition and have the potential to play a significant role in clean energy projects. 

International case studies and interviews with project developers and First Nations groups in Australia who have partnered on projects indicate that in addition to creating fairer energy systems, there are quantitative benefits of increased First Nations participation and inclusion across the clean energy project life-cycle.

The five significant benefits identified by this research and consultation include: 

1. Quicker project development cycle: First Nations support for clean energy projects can decrease the time taken for projects to progress through the development cycle. The development cycle is accelerated because of broader community support and prioritisation by council and planning authorities. Planning prioritisation can occur because the project has a broader community benefit and is aligned with government policy to support First Nations groups.
2. Greater access to, and potentially lower cost of, capital: Two reasons were identified for the lowering of capital costs. First, socially responsible projects, and projects that provide a demonstrable social benefit, attract broader pools of capital. Capital providers indicated that they would prioritise projects delivering broader benefit to First Nations groups over projects that simply met basic legal and planning requirements. Second, First Nations participation can result in a decreased risk profile due to the faster access to land and other components of the development cycle, resulting in greater likelihood of obtaining capital.
3. Access to, and preference amongst, offtake parties: The markets for offtake are highly competitive. Offtakers’ energy supply tenders often include First Nations involvement as a requirement or preference for clean energy projects from which energy will be purchased. Projects with greater levels of First Nations participation are more highly regarded by offtakers. 
4. Secondary market premium valuation: As a result of the benefits identified above, clean energy projects with significant First Nations participation are of higher value in the secondary market.
5. Local workforce benefits: For projects in regional and remote locations, partnering with local First Nations groups provides the opportunity for a relationship with a local workforce. These projects have the ability to optimise construction, operation and management costs by employing a local workforce and engaging with local First Nations-owned businesses. In addition to reducing costs in the construction and operation stages, local employment elevates the profile of projects, increasing attractiveness and potential for support from government programs and schemes.

Despite these benefits, investor backing of First Nations participation and inclusion in clean energy projects is currently low. For example, there are currently no operational clean energy projects in Australia with First Nations equity participation. 

Investors in clean energy projects in Australia are currently missing out on the additional value and broader economic benefits that partnering with First Nations groups can bring.

By harnessing the cultural knowledge, experience and political impact of First Nations groups, and incentivising success of the project, First Nations participation and partnership can assist project developers to realise these benefits.

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When we first started doing this quite a few years ago, we're like, surely you can just put solar on the roofs and then we're done, right? 

Indigenous communities across Canada continue to maintain significant influence on the long-term trajectory of that nation's clean energy transition.

Whether it is merchant transmission lines in Ontario or new large-scale hydroelectric generation in British Columbia, communities are adopting their own financing approaches to support Indigenous financial inclusion.

Some of these strategies are long-running, while others demonstrate novelty.

All approaches aim to develop financial and energy sovereignty.

In this co-produced paper (jointly prepared by Indigenous and non-Indigenous practitioners and academics), we synthesise select locally-rooted structures already in use – including many leveraged through extended experiences in both the energy transition generally and the national or community-based Indigenous economic development & energy and infrastructure units specifically.

We then spotlight national clean technology financing-supportive organisations that can help with maintaining momentum and reaching scale.

To conclude, we offer distinct areas where Indigenous communities and non-Indigenous partners can continue to creatively collaborate at every stage of the energy finance lifecycle – from very early-stage innovation all the way through to later stage refinancing of maturing assets.

The Canada-centric case study presented here may present implications and insights for other countries or territories seeking to empower Indigenous voices in their own energy transition.

Authors: Joel Krupa, Frank Busch, Derek Gladwin, Naoko Ellis, Financing clean technologies within Canada's Indigenous communities: Perspectives on sustainable energy transition from practitioners and academics, Energy, Volume 322, 2025, 134930, ISSN 0360-5442, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2025.134930. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225005729)

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There’s lots of finance and funding opportunities to action your clean energy journey — and many are closing soon. Get in quick!!

There’s lots of new funding opportunities available for First Nations people on our 'Finance and Funding Opportunities’ webpage.

The ability of companies, governments, and investors to dictate terms of development on First Nations lands is changing. First Nations communities are increasingly interested in being equity owners in projects impacting their land.

Partnering on clean energy projects delivering equity shares, preferred contracting, and training and employment opportunities for Traditional Owners groups, is emerging as the new norm.

Today, there are 15 and counting First Nations partnerships with industry working on significant clean energy project developments.

So, how are First Nations groups getting these partnerships off the ground and what benefits have they negotiated?

SPEAKERS: Lawford Benning, Aunty Carol, Ned David, Jason Bilney, Sonja Dare, Cissy Gore-Borch, Chris Croker (Facilitator)