Community Power Agency has released a new resource examining how communities can take a more direct role in renewable energy projects being developed in their regions.
Power in Partnership: A guide to developing a community stake in renewable energy explores approaches that allow communities to participate through partnership arrangements such as co-investment and co-ownership. These models are intended to give communities a say in projects while providing opportunities to share in the financial returns.
The guide is the result of 18 months of research and collaboration with renewable energy developers, local and state government stakeholders, advocacy organisations and community members.
Moving beyond consultation
Community Power Agency says the guide responds to growing interest in moving beyond traditional consultation processes toward models that allow communities to participate directly in renewable projects.
Lead author Dr Anna Berka said the expansion of renewable energy across regional Australia presents an opportunity to rethink how communities are involved.
“The shift to renewable energy represents a major change for many regional communities. For it to succeed, communities need meaningful opportunities to shape the decisions that affect them and to share in the benefits.”
The guide examines partnership approaches where communities can hold an ownership stake or invest alongside project developers. According to the authors, these models can create longer-term income streams while also involving communities in project decision making.
Lessons from case studies in Australia and overseas
Power in Partnership includes 23 case studies from Australia and other countries illustrating how community partnership models are being implemented in practice.
The examples cover a range of ownership and investment arrangements and are intended to provide insights for developers, governments and community organisations exploring similar approaches.
Countries including Denmark, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States and the Netherlands are referenced as places where shared ownership arrangements have become more common within renewable energy development.
Dr Berka said Australia is approaching a period where the scale of renewable energy deployment makes community participation increasingly relevant.
“Unlike some other countries, Australia has done little to enable communities to participate meaningfully in the renewable energy rollout. Given the scale of additional renewable capacity needed to 2030, now is the time.”
Guide structured around practical delivery
The resource is organised into five sections covering different aspects of community partnership models.
The first section examines the role community partnerships could play in Australia’s shift to renewable energy. The second outlines nine partnership models and design options that can be applied to renewable energy projects.
The third section focuses on how to establish partnership arrangements, including project development considerations, governance structures and financial options.
The fourth explores barriers and risks that can arise when implementing partnership models and outlines ways these challenges can be managed.
The final section considers social equity outcomes and provides tools for assessing how community partnerships can deliver fairer outcomes for host communities.
Resource for developers, governments and communities
The guide was supported by Energy Consumers Australia and is intended as a practical reference for project developers, policymakers and community groups interested in implementing partnership models.
Justin Whelan, Manager Consumer Advocacy at Energy Consumers Australia, said stronger community participation models are becoming part of the broader discussion around renewable development.
“Approaches like community co-ownership and co-investment can help turn engagement into genuine partnership, giving communities a meaningful stake in renewable energy projects and a share in the benefits.”
Community Power Agency says the guide aims to support renewable energy projects that not only generate electricity but also deliver longer-term economic participation for the communities hosting this infrastructure.
