The ever-growing leadership of First Nations communities in driving Australia’s clean energy transition, including over 20 First Nations clean energy project partnerships in development, will be highlighted at the First Nations Clean Energy Symposium taking place on Kabi Kabi country from 13-15 August 2025.

Tickets have sold out with over 400 attending to highlight renewable energy breakthroughs and what’s needed next in self-determined clean energy transition.

The third First Nations Clean Energy Symposium is a pivotal gathering to push for collaborative progress in Australia’s energy transition and ensure that First Nations peoples are leading the way in creating sustainable, self-determined futures.

As part of this important conversation, First Nations will reinforce the urgent need for a just, equitable, and community-led approach to renewable energy development.

Hosted by the First Nations Clean Energy Network and supported by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, this third symposium is bringing together over 400 First Nations leaders, Traditional Owners, community members, government representatives, unions, academics and industry to discuss strategies for accelerating the energy transition and backing First Nations communities. 

The Symposium will focus on what we have achieved so far, the barriers still to address and the need to work together collaboratively to get there.

Joe Morrison, Group CEO of Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation says: “First Nations peoples hold a deep, enduring connection to Country. That connection brings knowledge and perspectives that are critical to shaping Australia’s clean energy future.

“This Symposium is a vital space for sharing that knowledge, building partnerships, and ensuring First Nations voices are leading the conversation.

“It’s about shifting from participation to genuine leadership, and making sure clean energy delivers lasting benefits for First Nations communities.

Chantelle Johns, who worked with the community to develop the Marlinja Community Microgrid in the NT says: “Before our community built our microgrid in 2024, navigating power was a real struggle. Especially when we’d be disconnected for multiple days, and we’d have water outages too – and with the cost of living rising, that made everything extremely difficult. People helped each other out but it’s not realistic – we can’t always be stranded, or struggling to get the next power top-up on prepaid cards.

"Everyone would say to us, why wouldn't you move to town or go somewhere else, but for people here, this is their home – you can’t tell people to leave their home because power is not working.

"Everyone now is over the moon. We’ve got other struggles, like housing, but power’s not one of them – that’s the good part. Power is the first step to solving a bunch of problems. This journey has shown we can do this, and we can build on this. We’re taking power back, we’re becoming self-sufficient, and we don't have to leave our homeland because there's enough here to thrive on.”

Gavin Brown, one of the Directors of Wambal Bila Indigenous Community Corporation is speaking at the Symposium about how they recently secured an option for a 5% equity stake in AMPYR Australia's Wellington BESS in NSW.

“This is a genuinely transformational opportunity for the Wellington Aboriginal community. And this is not charity, we are taking a very commercial approach to the opportunity; we can see the benefits this can provide to our community for decades to come, if we can get it right.

"In our view it’s a scalable model which virtually any First Nations group or community (or proponent) can use. We have agreed with AMPYR that the IP developed from our work will be released publicly, which we hope to do shortly, to assist other communities around the country.” 

Aunty Kathleen Walker, an Elder from Wujal Wujal community in Queensland, is excited about funding in place to develop the Wujal Wujal microgrid. 

“Making our own power was my uncle’s dream. I’m glad the microgrid is going ahead. We are happy for that. Now when the power goes off, young people won’t be suffering, and old people too. This is a good opportunity for our country, and an opportunity for our young people to get a job in our homeland.

"I'm proud of myself for taking leadership in this, and proud of our Elders in Wujal Wujal for working with us, standing with our old people. They are the ones that want to see this for the young generation.

"This is the opportunity for us, to give something back to our people - education, clean water, power - so we can make our own money, our own jobs.”

Patrick Greechan, Chair of Amboranj Power, is speaking at the Symposium about innovative models for renewable energy development emerging between government utilities and First Nations communities, including their Aalga Goorlil ‘Sun Turtle’ Djarindjin Community Power Project in Western Australia.

Patrick says: “Solar and renewable energy is a vehicle. At the end of the day, we all want the outcome.”

Travis Tucker, a Director with Mirning Green Energy Limited, an Aboriginal not-for-profit managing a 10% shareholding in Western Green Energy Hub (WGEH) in Western Australia also joins the Symposium.

“To be a green energy partner with equity is exciting, and it’s great we have a seat at the table, particularly in this project which is likely the biggest in the world,” says Travis.

"As Traditional Owners we don’t want to be locked out of our country, especially because projects are so big. With projects like this we still have access to most of our country."

Beaudine Clark, Business Manager Climate Change and Renewable Energy with Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation in Victoria says the government’s Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) appears to be changing behaviour of renewable energy proponents.

“Renewable energy developers are coming to Yorta Yorta country and are engaging with us – and this appears to be due to the Capacity Investment Scheme. If they’ve been awarded a tender, anywhere in Australia, they’re required to approach First Nations groups that might be impacted by the project, to realise engagement, participation, economic, and other benefit sharing opportunities.

"We welcome this, we welcome discussions, and we look forward to realising benefits.”

Glen Wingfield, SA Community Coordinator with the First Nations Clean Energy Network, has a keen eye on what’s happening in South Australia for First Nations people.

Glen says: “The prices of electricity are skyrocketing and we're trying to fix it with renewable energy. We’re surveying people and getting a strong message to take to government to do more to ensure energy security for our small and remote communities because they’re already get hit hard enough with the cost of living, paying sometimes 3 times more, and with weather events which are making it even harder.

"We want to see change – a better environment which we can all live in that’s cost effective and energy secure. In that, some communities are working towards small grids and standalone power systems so that they can become self-sufficient and have power security. We’re also trying to help alleviate the health problems people have due to not having secure power.”

Madie Sturgess, Clean Energy Senior Project Lead with Original Power, is speaking about the complexities and challenges negotiating Power Purchase Agreements, where the disadvantages of often inequitable legacy energy systems come to a head.

"It's where the complexity of first mover risks materialise and is also an opportunity for forward thinking, for consumer-minded energy companies to renegotiate with First Nations proponents the terms by which power, accountability, agency, and benefit are realised in a modern and just energy system."

Ruby Heard, electrical engineer with Alinga Energy Consulting, and a steering group member of First Nations Clean Energy Network, is facilitating at the Symposium.

She says: “I’m passionate about energy efficiency and renewable solutions in our homes and communities and ensuring we can change our energy system so that everyone can have access to clean power.

"But there’s push back at times. It seems that governments and developers are failing in this space, in terms of getting clear information out there so that people can compare the impacts of wind, solar and BESS projects against the pollution and impacts from coal, gas and diesel projects. So there’s more work to do.

"We also need to make sure projects are actually listening and bringing mutually agreed benefits to communities that they’re being installed in, for First Nations and regional people.”

Karrina Nolan, co-Chair of the First Nations Clean Energy Network says: "First Nations consent, genuine partnership, and participation are needed for Australia’s energy transition to happen at the scale and pace required to address climate change. 

"The Symposium is a critical opportunity for First Nations to share our vision and the work we’re already doing to shape the energy transition. We must be at the centre of this shift – our leadership must guide the transition to renewable energy if it is to be truly just.

"Across Australia, over 4 million households have rooftop solar – enjoying the benefits of cleaner, more affordable power, yet First Nations homes are largely unable to access solar and battery benefits and programs. The government must address the urgent energy needs of our communities – including those on homelands and in social housing and rental properties. We need more community-led projects, backed with financial and policy support to ensure no one is left behind.

"There is a growing desire among First Nations communities for stable, long-term revenues and greater decision-making power over projects impacting their land and waters. Our communities want to own, co-own, and actively participate in the economic opportunities the clean energy transition offers. Industry is beginning to recognise the strengths and increased certainty that First Nations ownership and co-ownership can bring to these projects.

"It’s clear that now is the time to invest in First Nations communities and support access to capital and the resources needed. There are many barriers to our people’s participation in the clean energy revolution, from policy constraints to limited financing options for First Nations-led projects. But this moment also offers an opportunity to reset our relationship with industry and rethink economic development on country.

"We are working to ensure everyone acknowledges the value of First Nations participation. Proponents’ early engagement in designing collaborative participation models will not only build stronger partnerships but also reduce costs, speed up project development, and increase the certainty of outcomes.

“We know there’s things that work, we know it's complicated, but we’re looking at government to focus on the solutions and implement them at scale, and at investors, to get moving and back us in.

“Ensuring proponent’s commitment to First Nations outcomes in the Capacity Investment Scheme is a good start, and funds to implement the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy is great – action is the next step. Now is the time for transformative change in Australia’s clean energy policies and to begin investing in projects and economic futures with our people.”

ADDITIONAL SPOKESPEOPLE speaking at the Symposium include (among others):

• The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy (virtual)

• David Shankey, CEO, Net Zero Economy Authority

• Dominic Power, Senior Investment Analyst, Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

• Gordon Sue, Investment Management, Indigenous Business Australia (IBA)

• Leah Armstrong, Executive Group Member, First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance

• Kristy Graham, CEO, Australian Sustainable Finance Institute

• John Anderson, Chair, AEMO Services (now ASL)

• Damien Barnes, Board member, State Electricity Commission

• Gloria Chan, Executive Director, Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)

• Duane Fraser, CEO, Council of First Nations

• Mana Newton, Group CEO, Tauhara North No 2 Trust

• Michael Wright, National Secretary, ETU