Green Indigenous energy to power Victoria
By PETER ROWE
Australia’s first First Nations-owned retail energy provider has begun operating in Victoria and will be powering the State’s biggest road project.
Minister for Employment Vicki Ward and Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio launched the North East Link site with Yurringa Energy this week.
Yurringa Energy was established in 2018 to be Australia’s first First Nations-owned and operated retail energy provider.
“Yurringa Energy is Australia’s first 100 per cent Indigenous owned and managed energy retail company,” founder and Managing Director Daniel Briggs said.
The Victorian Government’s support and willingness to walk with us with a shared vision to interrupt the cycle of economic exclusion for Indigenous people has been significant to our success.”
The company secured the energy supply contract for the North East Link, and in partnership with Alinta Energy, plans to deliver 100 per cent renewable power during the construction of the North East Link tunnels.
To drive the company’s long-term sustainability, Yurringa Energy will create employment and training opportunities for Indigenous people in the growing renewable energy sector.
Yurringa Energy securing this contract backs the Labor Government’s Yuma Yirramboi Strategy, which supports wealth creation and aims to build First Nations economic parity within a generation.
Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Natalie Hutchins, said the State government was backing Aboriginal start-ups.
“We’re investing in sustainable futures for First Nations businesses, right across Victoria,” she said.