The Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation, in partnership with ACEN Australia, has approval to build a solar farm with capacity of up to 150 megawatts in remote north-west Australia.

The project covers 13,000 square kilometres of Yindjibarndi land in WA’s Pilbara and is set to assist power Rio Tinto’s iron ore network in the region.

WA State Environment Minister Reece Whitby said the government’s new Green Energy Approvals Initiative had been designed to cut red tape and get renewable energy projects online.

“Yindjibarndi’s proposals are exactly what our Government wants to see more of in WA,” he said.

“With the potential to decarbonise our State’s energy systems, create on-country jobs for Aboriginal Australians, and support renewable energy uptake by industry in the Pilbara, I look forward to seeing Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation’s proposals come to fruition.”

Representing one of the largest Indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives in Australia, YEC will see the Yindjibarndi people and ACEN work together to develop wind, solar, and renewable energy storage projects on Yindjibarndi Ngurra – an area covering approximately 13,000 km2 within the Yindjibarndi Native Title Determination Areas.

The partnership agreement between the Yindjibarndi and ACEN includes principles ensuring Yindjibarndi approval of all proposed project sites on Yindjibarndi Ngurra, Yindjibarndi equity participation of 25 – 50 per cent in all projects, preferred contracting for Yindjibarndi-owned businesses, and training and employment opportunities for Yindjibarndi people.