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A Pilbara Aboriginal corporation that has fought for years for compensation from iron ore mines is now looking to develop billions of dollars worth of renewable infrastructure to sell those same companies power.
Key points:
- Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation plans to build 3GW of renewable infrastructure
- The energy generated could be used to power major industrial operations in the Pilbara
- Under the deal, Yindjibarndi people will determine where the infrastructure can and cannot go
Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation [YAC] has formed the Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation with Philippines-listed renewable developer ACEN with a plan to create one of the nation's largest renewable projects with a massive 3 gigawatts of capacity.
The first stage would be for more than $1 billion worth of infrastructure that would generate 750 megawatts of solar, wind, and battery storage over the next few years.
As part of the deal, the Yindjibarndi people would get equity participation of 25 to 50 per cent in all projects and give them approval rights for site selection.
Yindjibarndi-owned businesses would be given preferred contractor status.
ACEN has more than eight gigawatts of projects in the development pipeline in Australia and recently opened the 400-megawatt first stage of its New England solar farm project.
YAC chief executive Michael Woodley said the deal provided employment, training, and ongoing revenue opportunities.
"For the first time we have a recognition that would put us in the box seat of leading some of these projects," he said.
"We actually initiated this whole structure ... we said we wanted to be part of renewables, so we went and set up a business called Yiyangu that's 100 per cent owned by the Yindjibarndi people.
"Having heavy First Nations people establish something like this is good for the community, it's good for the town, it's good for the small businesses, it's good for everyone."
Several locations are being investigated within the 13,000 square kilometres of Yindjibarndi native title determination areas for renewable energy.
The land is centred around the Millstream area between Roebourne and Tom Price where many of the region's iron ore mines are located.
Existing Rio Tinto-owned transmission lines also fall within the western edge of the Yindjibarndi claim area.
Major miners looking to transition power
The big iron ore miners have already developed renewable energy targets in the Pilbara.
Rio Tinto wants to create 1 gigawatt of renewable infrastructure, BHP plans to build 550 megawatts of wind, solar, and battery storage, and Fortescue is looking to do its own 5.4-gigawatt project.
ACEN International chief executive Patrice Clausse said in a statement the company was in talks with major industry players.
"Commercial discussions are in motion and we're currently having encouraging conversations with potential offtake customers to purchase the renewable energy," he said.
Mr Woodley said there seemed to be interest from big stakeholders in the region.
"I see us [Yindjibarndi] as having a part to play … in the world's challenge in terms of reducing carbon," he said.
YAC has been involved in a long-running compensation claim with Fortescue around mining on its exclusively held land without permission.
The claim is going through the Federal Court with hearings to resume next month but there have also been talks between the two parties to potentially resolve the issue.