Australia is undergoing one of the largest infrastructure and energy transitions in its history. Renewable energy generation, storage and transmission projects are being developed at a scale that will shape communities for generations, with many projects located on First Nations Country.

The Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) is the Australian Government's flagship investment mechanism for supporting newrenewable energy and storage projects. It provides long-term revenue support to reduce project risk and encourage
private investment in the clean energy transition.

The CIS is creating new opportunities for First Nations equity participation and revenue sharing in renewable energy and
storage projects. Under the CIS, successful projects enter into a Capacity Investment Scheme Agreement (CISA) with the
Australian Government. A CISA provides long-term revenue support by establishing a revenue floor and ceiling for a
project, helping to reduce revenue risk and encourage investment in renewable energy and storage infrastructure.

In 2026, the Australian Government has established dedicated First Nations Set Asides in both CIS Tender 9 (renewable
generation) and CIS Tender 10 (dispatchable capacity and battery storage).

Together, these Set Asides reserve project capacity for developments that commit to genuine First Nations equity
participation and/or revenue-sharing arrangements.

This fact sheet explains how the Set Asides work, why they matter, what they could mean for First Nations communities
and organisations, and what support is available.

Read our Fact Sheet here.

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.

Read the update

We are excited to invite you to an important webinar: First Nations Equity - Agreement Precedent Sharing in the Bulabul Battery project.

We’re excited to share our new guide providing a general overview of how Australia’s electricity system works, some of the drivers and policy settings driving energy and climate targets, and an example of the steps to develop a renewable energy project.

Energy security, disconnections, and community engagement on energy project development were the number one themes at the Network's inaugural First Nations Clean Energy Gathering in South Australia.