FIRST NATIONS CLEAN ENERGY NETWORK
The First Nations Clean Energy Network is ensuring the renewable energy transition occurs in partnership with First Nations communities, sharing its jobs and economic benefits, protecting sacred sites and respecting native title.
A first for First Nations people The First Nations Clean Energy Network was established in late 2021 to ensure First Nations people are key players in, and benefit from, Australia’s renewable energy transition. The Smart Energy Council which was a launch partner spoke to Steering Group member Chris Croker.
22 SUMMER 2022
NOVEMBER 2022 marks the first anniversary of the First Nations Clean Energy Network (‘the Network’) whose mission to address three pillars; community, industry partnerships and policy reform on behalf of Australia’s Indigenous population is already scoring dividends. Planning and communication took place over many years prior to inception, said Steering Group member Chris Croker. “First Nations communities had raised many serious concerns around energy accessibility and affordability, and inclusion in the energy transformation. We have examples of large-scale wind and solar projects being built in proximity of Aboriginal communities whose power was going out every other week due to unreliable networks,” he said. Exacerbating difficulties are the energy pre-payment plans endemic to Aboriginal households, as many as 90,000 according to ANU, that all routinely face energy insecurity issues with many losing electricity supply on a week to week basis. “This year’s significant increases in electricity and gas prices have had a big impact on household budgets and affordability, already it’s a case of do you take your child to the doctor this week or keep the gas or power on?” said Chris, adding extreme temperatures are not helping. It’s now widely recognised that those who contribute least to global emissions are finding themselves on the frontline of climate change, points out Karrina Nolan who was a key initiator of the Network and is Executive Director of Original Power. She says the ever-increasing heatwaves in central Australia are causing ever more discomfort and cites CSIRO data forecasting the number of days over 45 degrees will double by 2030 which will have a major impact on remote communities. But relief could be in sight.
Chris Croker told Smart Energy “One year on and the First Nations Clean Energy Network has made significant progress. In August 2022, Australia’s federal, state and territory energy ministers committed to developing a First Nations Clean Energy Strategy which brings concerns of First Nations to the foreground, and this is thanks to our efforts, no longer can we be the silent minority. “Another key development was our July Clean Energy Symposium in Melbourne with community groups where we heard about the good work of our brothers and sisters [Indigenous/First Nations peoples] in north America and elsewhere. “They are many years ahead of us, having made massive inroads into energy self-sufficiency and by actively participating in supplying energy solutions that also provide economic gains. “But in Australia we now have some important alliances including industry groups and large institutional investors and a superannuation coalition adopting more heritage guidelines for investments,” Chris said.
Practical plans and progress In other developments, the Network has finalised its Information Resources Plan that focuses on the role of education and inclusion in a just transformation in the electricity sector, and addresses Best Practice Engagement Principles during new developments on traditional lands to ensure culture and heritage is protected as well as fair and favourable notification of projects in the pipeline and social benefits such as local employment. “We are collaborating with the federal government on its Energy Transformation Roadmap and ensuring dedicated policy work around Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander engagement, as recently announced
