Fresh off the back of reaching 1000 members and ushering the release of a groundbreaking federal strategy, the First Nations Clean Energy Network is geared up for a huge 2025.

From community wins to new opportunities, the FNCEN said 2024 had shown how, with the strength of members and supporters, the network could drive real change.

This was evident most in the release of the Federal Government's inaugural First Nations Clean Energy Strategy in December, off the back of the network's advocacy, as Australia races towards its net-zero emissions target by 2050, and with more than 60 per cent of the country's Renewable Energy Zones on Indigenous land and waters.

In May the first First Nations-led and 100 per cent-owned Marlinja microgrid was launched in the Northern Territory, bringing the number of Indigenous clean energy equity partnerships in Australia to 18.

Also that month, the advocacy and engagement work of the network behind the scenes, mandating industry and governments address First Nations outcomes in the Federal Government's Capacity Investment Scheme and Future Made in Australia frameworks, were recognised with several clean energy initiatives announced in the 2024 Budget.

Other 2024 highlights for the First Nations Clean Energy Network included:

- The success of the First Nations Clean Energy Symposium, led by mob for mob, delivered in partnership with the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation and National Native Title Council.

- The next cohort of clean energy leaders made their mark through the network's PowerMakers 2024, with planning for next year's capacity-building program already in the works.

- Launching the Community Energy Planning toolkit, a great resource for communities starting the clean energy conversation towards solutions

- Turning best practice principles for clean energy projects into leading practice principles, via a handbook with the Clean Energy Council and KPMG for what's expected from industry

- Launching its Powering First Nations Jobs in Clean Energy report at Parliament House, which showed pathways to employment and training for mob, and what could be done now to make a difference

But it was the endorsement from all energy ministers and release of the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy in December 2024, with a $70 million start-up investment, which ushers the industry's growth this year and beyond.

"The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy is a signal to our communities that the barriers and opportunities to realise our clean energy aspirations have been heard," said FNCEN co-chair Karrina Nolan, a descendant of the Yorta Yorta people.

"Many of our people are still living off grid, relying on expensive, polluting diesel. And those in urban and regional social housing are yet to enjoy benefits of more affordable clean power.

"Implementing the strategy means we can power these homes with renewables, switch out diesel generation, increase energy efficiencies and build in climate-resilient retrofits, and develop local workforces."

Ms Nolan said the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy could be one of the biggest opportunities for economic development for Indigenous people in their lifetime.

"We want to ensure our Traditional Owner groups are lifted up and our First Nations organisations and businesses are resourced, so that we can self-determine the role we play in the energy transition," she said.

"This includes being proponents in our own right, as part of the project design process, as project partners with equity and benefits shared and a seat at the table, and with free prior and informed consent (FPIC) enabled."

Ms Nolan pointed to Canada as a clear example that First Nations-led projects correlate to higher levels of wellbeing, and reduced risk, cost and delay.

"Canada knows this, with nearly 20 per cent of electricity generation infrastructure including First Nations, Metis and Inuit entities as owners, partners or beneficiaries," she said.

The current 18 First Nations clean energy equity partnerships in Australia were likely to accelerate this year, with significant benefits shared with Indigenous people and communities along the supply chain.

"That is our aim and our focus in 2025, that the Strategy realises economic development opportunities in the home, in communities, and on Country for generations to come," Ms Nolan said.