YINDJIBARNDI PEOPLE TO LEAD ON CLIMATE WITH LARGE-SCALE RENEWABLES PROJECTS
BY TANGIORA HINAKI AND GERARD MAZZA
Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation CEO Michael Woodley. Credit: Supplied.
Yindjibarndi Native Title holders have partnered with a renewable energy company to develop, own and operate large-scale renewable projects in the Pilbara.
The Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) and renewables company ACEN have partnered to form the Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC).
The partners will develop wind, solar and battery storage projects with up to three gigawatts of capacity on Yindjibarndi ngurra.
YAC CEO Michael Woodley told Ngaarda Media First Nations people had an obligation to lead the way in addressing climate change through initiatives like renewable energy.
“We think the project’s good for everyone,” he said.
“It’s good for the climate. It’s good for the environment. It’s good for First Nations people. In this case, it’s good for Yindjibarndi. It’s good for the local economy.
“We’re finding ways that we can continue to contribute our Native Title land to one of the most important challenges of our lives, which is to reduce emissions and assist with climate change.”
In Stage One of the development, YEC plans to develop 750 megawatts of combined wind, solar and battery storage, to be built on Yindjibarndi country in the next few years. More than $1 billion will be invested in Stage One.
Mr Woodley said Yindjibarndi people and Elders would be involved in choosing locations for development and some suitable options had already been identified.
ACEN International CEO Patrice Clausse said in a statement: “Our partnership with the Yindjibarndi is aligned on so many levels, and we’re incredibly grateful for the trust the Yindjibarndi community has put in ACEN to responsibly explore development opportunities in partnership with them on their country.”
“The Pilbara region is home to some of the largest industrial energy users globally, many of which have expressed their desire to participate in a transition to a carbon neutral future.
“Commercial discussions are in motion and we’re currently having encouraging conversations with potential offtake customers to purchase the renewable energy.”
Listen to an interview with Michael Woodley to hear him speak about the Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation, upcoming on-Country court hearings in the longstanding legal battle between Yindjibarndi and FMG, and next week’s Yindjibarndi Expo: