Despite all government’s stated ambition for First Nations participation in Australia’s energy transition, there is a lack of commitment to embedding First Nations outcomes in transmission planning prior to decision-making.

First Nations people's land, waters, country, culture and land tenure rights must be engaged with and recognised in policy and legislative schemes that establish access to land and waters for transmission infrastructure.

And the development and installation of transmission infrastructure must incentivise First Nations outcomes, including genuine partnerships.

This session looks at the choices governments have available to them to embed First Nations-related outcomes in the ways that projects are funded, and through the rules determining how planning, investment, construction and operation of transmission (monopoly) assets occurs, and asks, if not now, when will government act to reduce risk and ensure transmission is developed at the pace required?

SPEAKERS: Emily Gerrard, Jason Bilney, Jonathan Kneebone, Paul Paton (Facilitator)

While rooftop solar has been installed on over 3.5 million houses in Australia, there are next to none on First Nations homes.

First Nations remain locked out of clean energy investment and housing and community-led initiatives, yet frequently experience unreliable, expensive, or power disconnections, living without an air conditioner as the climate warms, without a refrigerator to keep food and medicines cool, and without the ability to recharge phones and computers so that kids can do their homework.

While we continue to strongly advocate for government-backed renewable energy rebates and incentives for First Nations households, this session looks at what we can do now to improve our energy security - the appliances that pass the test, how to get off gas, and other simple energy efficiency measures to save us money on our electrification journey.

SPEAKERS: Janeen Bulsey, Vanessa Davis, Kerry Connors, Ruby Heard (Facilitator)

International experience demonstrates that investing in First Nations brings benefits to whole economies, to clean energy projects, and to First Nations groups.

And investing meaningfully and at scale in First Nations-led clean energy is not just equitable, it makes good business sense.

In this session we explore financial mechanisms and incentives currently available, and how to make government incentives work for us (eg. capacity investment scheme, Indigenous Procurement targets, and so on).

We'll also discuss the benefits, risks, and challenges of Australia falling behind international trends, and when we're likely to see significant First Nations investment 'talk' become a reality.

SPEAKERS: Darren Godwell, Adam Fletcher, Nishtha Aggarwal, Danny Kennedy, Brian Bero (Facilitator)

What does it look like when First Nations groups call the shots?

Through designing early engagement and negotiation protocols for government and industry to follow, this session explores what different nations are doing to flip the narrative and set the standard.

SPEAKERS: Daniel Miller, Barengi Gadjin, Daryle Rigney, Jason Bilney, Sonja Dare, Heidi Norman (Facilitator)

Some First Nations groups are planning, developing, partnering and installing clean energy solutions in their homes and communities - whether it's putting solar on a rooftop, improving the energy efficiency of housing stock, or developing a microgrid.

So, how are they doing it?

This session brings looks at where to begin, who to talk to, and how to determine whether an idea can be made into a reality, using the Community Energy Planning Toolkit as a guide.

SPEAKERS: Chantelle Johns, Ethan Godfrey, Lauren Mellor, Conrad Yeatman, Josh Paterson, Ruby Heard (Facilitator)

When Traditional Owners and communities are engaged as genuine partners, projects develop faster, creating better value for investors and decreasing risk. First Nations leadership, ownership, jobs, business opportunities and critically, protection of valuable cultural heritage and the environment, are key to good outcomes.

Building the capacity of our leaders to equitably participate is one of the key platforms of the First Nations Clean Energy Network.

Our inaugural PowerMakers capacity building program in 2023 with 32 determined First Nations leaders explored the energy landscape, and the necessary tools for bringing renewable energy projects to life, maximising benefits for community, building strong partnerships, mastering negotiation, and mapping project financing with equity in mind.

With PowerMakers #2 scheduled for later this year, we ask our PowerMakers '23 cohort what they got out of the program, how have they applied what they learnt, and what the next PowerMakers cohort should expect?

SPEAKERS: Neil Purcell, Donna Krause, Cameron Smith, Desmond Mongoo, Gudju Gudju, Keicha Day (Facilitator)

Collaboration and equitable partnerships with First Nations are critical to ensuring a clean energy transition which is just and prioritises community benefits. Access to finance, capacity building and an enabling policy environment will be key to making this a reality.

The government is laying the foundations for Australia to be a major miner, producer and exporter of green hydrogen and critical minerals.

Of the $127 billion pipeline of announced hydrogen investment in Australia, including more than 80 announced projects, only $2 million to-date has been allocated towards First Nations engagement. Furthermore, with over 450 critical minerals deposits across Australia, critical minerals exploration and mining is likely to occur in many Nations.

Government policy suggests on-going engagement, benefit sharing and partnerships with First Nations peoples will be essential to improve equity and investment opportunities for the resources sector’s sustainability.

This session reviews the application of government's policy intent. Are there significant First Nations partnerships, equity and ownership arrangements in the critical minerals and hydrogen sectors, including a seat at the table, and if not, why not?

SPEAKERS: Cameron Smith, Sonja Dare, Jason Bilney, Mia Pepper, Anu Nagar, Darren Godwell (Facilitator)

The impacts of extreme heat, flooding, cyclones and drought is adding to the health and economic pressures and energy insecurity experienced by First Nations families and communities.

Clean renewable energy is a huge opportunity and if done right, may address many of these issues.

This session asks, how can we self-determine and secure our energy future in a changing climate?

SPEAKERS: Heidi Norman, Leslie Schultz, Vanessa Napaltjarri Davis, Vonda Moar Malone, Graeme Gardner (Facilitator)

Original Power is working in partnership with Borroloola on a community-led energy project offering a unique and new arrangement for both the utility and the consumer.

The project however is facing regulatory roadblocks.

This session reviews the successes and challenges to date.

SPEAKERS: Scotty McDinny, Madie Sturgess, Dr Alan Langworthy