The federal government has released a consultation paper to inform the development of Australia’s First Nations Clean Energy Strategy.
The paper builds on six roundtables held with First Nations communities over the past eight months, as well as input from the First Nations Clean Energy and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee.
The strategy is formulated to drive investment and cooperation for Indigenous communities across the country.
“The Australian Government is ensuring First Nations people have a real say in Australia’s energy future and are not locked out of the clean energy transformation,” Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said.
“First Nations people have strong local and cultural knowledge, including management of Country, and this can and should inform how Australia transforms its energy systems to achieve net zero by 2050.”
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the consultation will provide opportunities to share perspectives.
“Indigenous Australians are important partners in the clean energy transformation, and they deserve access to cleaner cheaper energy – and energy security,” Bowen said.
“By providing the opportunities for First Nations communities to share their perspectives, government and industry are better equipped to ensure the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy delivers for Indigenous Australians.”
Responses to the consultation paper can be made here.
In August 2023, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency opened the Regional Microgrids Program, with $125 million in funding allocated to develop and deploy microgrid technologies across regional and remote communities.
The new program will allocate $75 million for microgrid projects in First Nations communities.
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