The green energy projects being developed by Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) have been praised for the benefits they offer to the community.

A recent report by Melbourne Climate Futures, a research unit within Melbourne University, said that Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation had negotiated an agreement with the majority partner ACEN which would help secure its equity share of up to 50 per cent in projects.

ACEN and YAC have formed Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation to develop these projects on Yindjibarndi Ngurra (‘Country’).

“Yindjibarndi were also able to enter the negotiations with ACEN a hugely important financing arrangement whereby they are guaranteed a standard return from ACEN for their contribution to the project,” the report said.

The potential for new renewable energy projects could also support efforts to protect areas of high cultural and heritage protection from mining impacts, and Yindjibarndi’s active role in negotiations was a source of inspiration for other Aboriginal groups and supporters of climate action, the report said.

The findings of the report were included in the influential Close the Gap report. It said that “Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation demonstrates how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can participate and lead in the transition to a clean-energy future.”

Meanwhile, two Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation renewable energy projects have been awarded enhanced regulatory support and streamlined processes.

The federal government recently announced that the key projects are now included in the “Priority Renewable Energy Infrastructure Priority List”.

The first is the Chichester Range Corridor, which includes the Pilbara Transmission Project from north to south through Yindjibarndi Ngurra, and a hydrogen pipeline that runs via the Maitland Strategic Industrial Area to the Burrup Strategic Industrial Area, and Port of Dampier.

Secondly, Project Buru-Marna is in the early stages of development and includes a proposed 3GW hybrid wind, solar and battery project on Yindjibarndi Ngurra.

Craig Ricato, CEO of YEC said the decision was important because the YEC’s projects were “recognised at a national level.”

You can access the Close the Gap report here, see pages 32-33: https://closethegap.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ONLINE-Close-the-Gap-Report-2025_v5-final.pdf

Article from Yindjibarndi Nation News–Ngarda Wongka, March 2025