There’s a major transition to renewable clean energy underway in Australia and, for regional and remote communities across the country, this presents an opportunity for First Nations people to access reliable, affordable clean power, build community wealth and create participation and benefit-sharing opportunities on Country.
That is, says Karrina Nolan, if the transition is managed thoughtfully.
Karrina is Executive Director and Founder of Original Power, which works with First Nations community partners to overcome structural barriers preventing people from accessing affordable and reliable clean energy and to harness the opportunities of the renewable energy transition.
“As the clean energy industry expands, it is important that we make decisions which determine our future and protect our country and culture, and ensure no one is left behind,” she says.
“This means being able to determine which projects to pursue, and how best to protect our Country and sacred sites for generations to come.”
In November 2024 PRF granted $5 million to Original Power to take advantage of this window of opportunity. This investment has been targeted at growing Original Power’s national reach through the First Nations Clean Energy Network and Clean Energy Communities Project to ensure that First Nations people, groups and communities are able to participate in and benefit from Australia’s clean energy transition and that more communities have the information and support they are needing.
“Many remote communities rely on diesel generators for their power, which is expensive, unreliable and harmful to the environment,” Karrina continues. “Our recent report showed over 15,000 First Nations households in Australia rely on prepayment power meters, which often result in immediate disconnections when credit runs out. In one year alone, 440,000 disconnection events were recorded across 8,878 households in Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland, averaging 49 disconnections per household - making it impossible to safely store food and medicine or keep homes safe in extreme temperatures.
“For many First Nations people, access to reliable power is not a reality.”
PRF Chief First Nations Officer Michelle Steele says the replacement of diesel generators with solar, wind and other renewable energy assets offers a pathway for First Nations communities to access reliable power and build self-determined economic opportunities.
“Original Power is connecting communities to resources so they can make their own decisions about what assets they need, including advocating for community-led development and energy ownership,” she says.
“Energy security is about more than keeping the lights on. It’s essential for food security, health and wellbeing outcomes, and business infrastructure, and ensures people and places have what they need to thrive.”
Power in action
A 2021 demonstration project in the Northern Territory is proving Original Power’s model. The Marlinja Solar Community Centre is a partnership between the Marlinja community and Original Power’s Clean Energy Communities Project and is the first step in securing a lower cost, clean energy future for Marlinja residents, offering a hub for kids, family and cultural activities and a reprieve from frequent power blackouts. It’s part of a much larger plan for the community to go 100 per cent renewable and generate its own electricity from solar power with battery storage.
"Solar powering the Territory’s remote communities makes so much sense,” says Karrina, “and community-ownership models like that being advanced at Marlinja are the best way to ensure that the benefits of cheaper, cleaner energy are delivered directly back to local families and businesses.”
Karrina says First Nations people and communities need a seat at the negotiating table when it comes to renewable energy.
“Through advocacy and resource sharing, we can support communities like Marlinja to drive development of clean energy projects that keep power and profit within the local community.”
