3 GW Solar & Wind Projects On Aboriginal Land In Pilbara

• ACEN has joined hands with the native population of Yindjibarndi Aboriginals for a renewable energy plan in Western Australia
• The JV between the two, YEC will target to develop 3 GW renewable energy capacity to be owned and operated by it
• Initial projects to be carried out over the next few years have a combined 750 MW capacity, with remaining to follow later

Philippines based ACEN has revealed plans to develop 3 GW renewable energy capacity in collaboration with the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) that it says makes the project one of the largest indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives in Australia.

To be sited in Western Australia's Pilbara region, the project will develop up to 3 GW of large-scale wind, solar and renewable energy storage projects. These will be owned and operated by their joint venture Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC).

Projects will come up on Yindjibarndi Ngurra spread in some 13,000 km2 area within the Yindjibarndi Native Title Determination Areas, in proximity to major industrial users.

"The Pilbara region is home to some of the largest industrial energy users globally, many of whom have expressed their desire to transition to a carbon-neutral future," said ACEN International CEO Patrice Clausse. "We are actively engaged in promising dialogues with potential off-take customers to purchase the renewable energy."

YEC has the mandate to start with an initial 750 MW of combined wind, solar and battery storage capacity under construction over the next few years, with an investment of over AUD 1 billion ($682 million). Remaining 2 GW to 3 GW capacity will follow in subsequent stages.

YAC's 25% to 50% equity participation in all projects gives the native people the power to approve all the proposed sites and the opportunity to hire local businesses and talent. This enables the sustainable development of renewable energy in the country, according to YAC Chief Executive Michael Woodley, while providing long-term economic benefits to the community.

Part of the Philippines' Ayala Group ACEN targets to reach 20 GW renewables capacity by 2030 to become the largest listed renewables platform in Southeast Asia, and transition its generation portfolio to 100% renewable energy by 2030. ACEN won AUD 75 million debt finance from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) in 2022 for its local Australian subsidiary to build 8 GW strong large scale clean energy portfolio in the country (see AUD 75 Million For 8 GW Clean Energy In Australia).