As the energy transition continues across Australia, First Nations people are increasingly taking ownership of renewable energy projects built on their Country. 

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? 

Marlinja Microgrid an historic achievement as the first First Nations community-owned and grid connected renewable energy project in Australia.

A First Nations community in the Northern Territory has been battling chronic power shortages and high electricity bills for years. Desperate to keep the lights on and struggling to get government support, the people of Marlinja have taken matters into their own hands.

The community is setting up its own clean energy power grid, part of a bigger project to help First Nations communities make the most of the transition to a net zero economy.

The small community of Marlinja in the Northern Territory is set to become home to Australia’s first 100% First Nations-owned and grid-connected solar microgrid.

Despite the potential benefits, getting rooftop solar projects up and running hasn't been easy.