Empowering First Nations Renewable Energy
Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) is a partnership between Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) and international renewable energy company, ACEN Corporation (ACEN).
Representing one of the largest Indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives in Australia, YEC seeks to develop, construct and operate renewable energy and storage projects on Yindjibarndi Ngurra (country) in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. Plans include up to 3GW of wind, solar and battery storage to be in construction in the next several years.
Ideal location, access to markets and economic diversification for WA
Will contribute to the WA Government’s forecast of 41GW of electricity required for the Pilbara by 2051*
Will generate more renewable energy than what is currently being produced by WA’s largest coal fired power station
Promotes common-use infrastructure in the Pilbara by reducing the need for duplication and impact on country and landscapes
Represents more than $1.4B in private investment into the WA economy
Located outside of Category D cyclone zone, elevated and close to existing transmission infrastructure
Located within optimum land assembly areas with access to markets to unlock value quickly
Will create ~400 new peak construction jobs in WA’s growing renewable energy industry
Supports Diversify WA’s aspiration for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and position the state for a low-carbon future
Supports the Pilbara region’s green energy future and electrification of existing mining and industrial operations
Power over 2M average Australian homes each year
*Pilbara Electricity Modelling Report 2023, Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Energy Policy WA)
Staged development
Land ready
One of the most advanced renewable energy projects in WA where Native Title exists.
Section 91 Licence to Occupy Crown Land granted under the Land Administration Act 1997 (WA), providing permission to commence on-ground investigations
Yindjibarndi endorsed Indigenous Land Use Agreement
A new benchmark for meaningful participation
Renewable energy is aligned with Yindjibarndi’s vision to create profitable and sustainable community owned commercial businesses that protect country, build a stronger community and respect culture.
Yindjibarndi participation in assessments and studies to facilitate cultural knowledge building and intellectual property of country
Jointly owned by Yindjibarndi so that the benefits such as housing, education and return to country contribute to self determination for Yindjibarndi people
Yindjibarndi participation in assessments and studies to facilitate cultural knowledge building and intellectual property of country
Early investment in workforce development initiatives to prepare Indigenous communities to participate in YEC projects
Supply chain access security for Yindjibarndi owned businesses
“We know that our country is well located for renewable energy development, so we made the decision early to lead. We established a small team and set out to find a partner with the right capabilities and values, which led us to ACEN.”
— Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive, Michael Woodley
“Our partnership with the Yindjibarndi is aligned on so many levels, and we’re incredibly grateful for the trust the Yindjibarndi community has put in ACEN to responsibly explore development opportunities in partnership with them on their country.”
- ACEN International Chief Executive Officer, Patrice Clausse.”
Structure
The Yindjibarndi people are an equity owner of YEC, through Yiyangu Pty Ltd which is 100% owned by the Yindjibarndi Wealth Trust.
The Yindjibarndi Wealth Trust operates under the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (RNTBC), the Registered Native Title Body Corporate established to manage native title on behalf of the Yindjibarndi people, the common law holders of the area. As equity owners and primary tenure holders of the project land, the Yindjibarndi people will receive long term revenue from YEC projects.
YEC comprises a Board of Yindjibarndi and ACEN Directors.
The right mix of capabilities and values
About the Yindjibarndi community
The Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) is a Registered Native Title Body Corporate of the Yindjibarndi People and the institution appointed by the Federal Court of Australia to represent Yindjibarndi native title rights and interests.
Yindjibarndi Ngurra (country) covers approx. 13,000km in the Pilbara region of Western Australia and includes numerous parcels of land with a variety of tenure/ stakeholder interests, including the strongest form of native title, known as Exclusive Possession. In 1994, the Yindjibarndi people launched one of Australia’s very first native title claims which was determined by the Full Federal Court in 2005. The High Court of Australia affirmed Yindjibarndi Exclusive Possession rights in a second determination claim in 2020.
About ACEN
ACEN (PSE:ACEN) is the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group. The company has ~4,400MW of attributable capacity from owned facilities in the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia and India, with a renewable share of 98%, which is among the highest in the region.
ACEN’s aspiration is to be the largest listed renewables platform in Southeast Asia, with a goal of reaching 20GW of renewables capacity by 2030. ACEN is committed to transition the company’s generation portfolio to 100% renewable energy by 2025 and to become a Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions company by 2050.
In Australia, ACEN has more than 1GW capacity in construction and more than 8GW capacity in the development pipeline. Its renewable energy assets include solar, wind, battery, and pumped hydro energy storage projects across Australia. The 400MWac (521MWdc) New England Solar (Stage 1) in NSW is ACEN’s first operational project in Australia. It will be one of Australia’s largest solar projects participating in the National Electricity Market (NEM) and is the largest solar project in Australia to be financed on a fully merchant basis. The 400MWac (520MWdc) Stubbo Solar in the NSW Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone is ACEN Australia’s second project, which commenced construction in late 2022.