A major Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation initiative received the green light on Monday from the City of Karratha's Joint Development Assessment Panel; development application approval for Project Jinbi, located on Yindjibarndi Ngurra in the Pilbara region.
The Corporation said the approval from JDAP marks a significant milestone in the advancement of the project and is the first of YEC's renewable projects to receive development approval.
While the project is still subject to a number of other internal, external, and regulatory approvals, the approval does represent a crucial step forward.
The project includes 75MWac of solar power, with the potential to expand to 150MWac on a greenfield site. Future plans may also incorporate a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation chief executive Craig Ricato said the group is "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".
"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," he said.
Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation CEO Michael Woodley said the approval marked a significant moment for the community which has been directly involved in conducting heritage and environmental surveys.
"This project represents not only a step towards an environmentally sustainable future but also the empowerment and economic development of the Yindjibarndi community," he said.
"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. 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."
The first stage of the project will involve the installation of 160,000 solar panels, which will generate enough electricity each year to power 40,000 homes.
Receiving this approval means Jinbi can continue to move forward with detailed commercial agreements, planning and preparation for construction, ensuring that all necessary resources are in place for successful implementation.
Project Jinbi is expected to commence construction in late 2025 and be operational in the 2nd half of 2027, subject to satisfaction of all necessary conditions and approvals. Once fully approved and operational, it is intended that Jinbi will connect directly to existing Rio Tinto transmission infrastructure for electricity supply to Rio Tinto's operations.
The Jinbi solar project is one of three projects, totalling over 1GW of wind and solar generation, which YEC currently has in development (noting Rio Tinto's involvement is only in relation to the Jinbi solar project).
Formed in 2023, YEC is one of Australia's largest Indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives, aiming to develop up to 3GW of wind, solar, and energy storage projects within the 13,000 km² in the Yindjibarndi Native Title Determination Areas.
Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) is a partnership between Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) and ACEN Corporation. YEC describes its projects as "a significant step towards decarbonising the Pilbara", showcasing the organisation's "commitment to innovative energy solutions and the empowerment of Indigenous communities".
