Beyond the Grid: Tracking Australia's $70B Clean Energy Promise to First Nations

Nov 14

3 min read

The race to meet Australia’s ambitious renewable energy targets is accelerating, powered by the massive $70 billion Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS). But this energy revolution is about more than just megawatts—it's about justice, partnership, and land. A groundbreaking new national resource has just been launched to ensure the promise of First Nations engagement is delivered.

Beyond the Grid: Tracking Australia's $70B Clean Energy Promise to First Nations

First Nations Equity is Non-Negotiable

The sheer scale of Australia’s clean energy build requires vast tracts of land, much of which falls over First Nations Country and impacts their rights and interests. The Federal Government has moved beyond "nice-to-have" consultation, embedding First Nations participation as a legally binding, contractual requirement in the CIS.

CIS Mandate: The Capacity Investment Scheme makes genuine First Nations engagement, equity, and benefit-sharing a critical part of the tender success.
Risk Reduction: Government policy, supported by industry insights, confirms that strong engagement reduces project risk, cuts delays, and leads to superior commercial outcomes for developers and investors.
Contractual Commitments: Developers awarded CIS projects must commit to specific criteria, including employment pathways, cultural heritage protection, and equity opportunities. These are now contractually enforceable.

🗺️ The Accountability Map: Tracking 59 Mega-Projects

To bring unprecedented transparency to this critical national effort, the First Nations Clean Energy Network has unveiled a powerful new online tool. This interactive map tracks all 59 CIS-awarded projects and their intersection with Indigenous lands.

For Communities: First Nations communities can quickly identify projects affecting their traditional Country and check the specific benefit-sharing commitments made by the developer.
For Developers & Investors: The map fosters a culture of transparency, allowing proponents to see best practices and for the public to track project progress against their social licence promises.
Real-Time Feedback: Developers are already responding to this public visibility, making adjustments to their plans and signalling a shift towards greater accountability in the Australian renewable energy sector.

📰 Current News: A 'Future Made in Australia' Built Together

This new push for Indigenous ownership and participation aligns perfectly with recent national strategies and policy shifts. The focus is no longer just on where the energy comes from, but who benefits.

First Nations Clean Energy Strategy: This broader national framework demands equitable access, self-determination, and tangible economic benefits for First Nations peoples in the energy transition.
Microgrid Investment: The government is actively funding microgrids in remote First Nations communities to replace costly, polluting diesel, addressing long-standing energy inequality. This is a key area for immediate, community-level impact.
Global Best Practice: This shift moves Australia closer to international standards, like those in Canada, where Indigenous equity can be a mandatory, "pass/fail" requirement for major clean energy tenders.

The core message is simple: First Nations partnership is the foundation for a stable, swift, and successful Australian energy transition.

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