Tjiwarl Contracting Services is a wholly owned entity of the Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation. It was established to pursue business opportunities for Tjiwarl Native Title Holders within the Tjiwarl Native Title Determined Area of land in Western Australia determined in 2017, covering approximately 13,600 square kilometres throughout the Central Desert Region.
Tjiwarl Contracting Services was given financial support through a 12-month contract with ADD Business Group which enabled them to set up governance systems and processes to become established as a formal entity.
Tjiwarl Contracting Services and Liontown Resources signed a Native Title Agreement in 2021 which commits to compensation, employment, training, and contracting opportunities for Tjiwarl Native Title Holders throughout the life of Liontown's Kathleen Valley lithium mine located on Tjiwarl country, including in some cases preferencing of Tjiwarl endorsed businesses.
In May 2023, Tjiwarl Contracting Services formed an incorporated joint venture company with Zenith Energy Pty Ltd (Zenith). The resulting Tjiwarl Katu Power Pty Ltd is 80% owned and operated by Tjiwarl Contracting Services.
Tjiwarl Katu Power is initially providing power and related services at Zenith’s renewable energy hybrid power stations on Tjiwarl Native Title determined land in WA's northern goldfields, with a view to expanding those services to provide low carbon power solutions to entities and communities across Tjiwarl Country.
Tjiwarl Katu Power will also provide power and related services to Zenith’s 95 megawatt (MW) off-grid hybrid renewable energy power station at Liontown Resources’ Kathleen Valley mining operations.
The Kathleen Valley power station comprises 16 MW of solar capacity, 30 MW of wind delivered from five 6 MW turbines, and a 17 MW / 19 MWh battery energy storage system. This is backed up by 27 MW of gas generation and 5 MW of diesel-fuelled generation.
Zenith has the contract to finance, design, construct, own and operate the Kathleen Valley power station for an initial term of 15 years.
Zenith will share their knowledge and train, develop and contract qualified Tjiwarl and related members in electrical and mechanical operations and power station performance management.
Zenith Energy’s Kathleen Valley project is reportedly the first formal First Nations Engagement Agreement for an IPP in Australia, with the agreement’s prime objectives including promoting Tjiwarl's participation in Zenith’s projects, and forming a joint venture to advance capabilities and self-determination in providing power and power-related services on country and beyond.
Kathleen Valley's solar farm, battery energy storage system and the first three of the five wind turbines were ’turned on' in June 2024. Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation’s Board Director Kado Muir said at the time, 'very soon Tjiwarl Katu Power will be operating this power station’.