An indigenous-owned Pilbara renewable energy plant has breezed through planning approval, clearing the way for the $200 million project to be green-lit.
An indigenous-owned Pilbara renewable energy plant has breezed through planning approval with minimal fuss, clearing the way for the $200 million project to be green-lit.
The Regional Development Assessment Panel on Wednesday took just 10 minutes to waive Yindjibarndi Energy’s Project Jinbi through unanimously, with brief presentations in support of the project from representatives RFF Australia and the Shire of Ashburton.
Jinbi, which means water spring in Yindjibarndi language, comprises a 150-megawatt solar farm powered by about 325,000 panels next to a Rio Tinto substation and transition line in a remote part of the Shire of Ashburton.
It is the first stage of a proposed 3-gigawatt solar and wind energy hub backed by Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation and ACEN Australia designed to help decarbonise industry in the Pilbara.
A further 550 megawatts of wind and solar power is expected to be built at a later date under the second tranche of Yindjibarndi Energy’s phase one plans, known as Project Baru.
Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation chief executive Craig Ricato said the development approval was a signficant milestone.
“We are thrilled to receive this approval for Project Jinbi, which brings us one step closer to realising our vision for a First Nations led, greener future in the region,” he said.
“As one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives, YEC is proud to be developing large-scale renewable energy projects to decarbonise Pilbara mining and industrial companies.”
Construction of the Jinbi project is penciled in for next year, however, the timeline may depend on Rio Tinto approving it as a power source for its operations.
Yindjibarndi Energy and Rio Tinto in October last year signed a deal to “explore opportunities to collaborate” with specific reference to Yindjibarndi’s project, but no concrete agreement has been reached.
Rio Tinto would upgrade its substation to accommodate Jinbi should it proceed with the deal.
The miner is separately pursuing an option to use power from Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation’s proposed 80-megawatt solar farm.
Rio Tinto anticipates it will need up to 700 megawatts of renewable power to displace its gas-fired power stations.
If construction begins as expected next year, Jinbi would be the first major renewable energy project built from the ground up to be co-owned by traditional owners in Western Australia.
A small traditional owner-backed solar plant - Pilbara Solar's 10-megawatt Junja project - is also close to getting off the ground.
Several more large-scale projects of a similar nature are in the works, mostly in the north-west.
Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Michael Woodley said the power project was critical to the "empowerment and economic development" of the Yindjibarndi community.
"Through our partnership with the ACEN Corporation, we are demonstrating the vital role Indigenous leadership can play in driving innovative renewable energy solutions which can benefit both communities and industry," he said.
"I also want to take the opportunity to thank both Rio Tinto and the WA State Government for their support in bringing this project closer to fruition.”
