- Draft Guideline on Community Benefits for Renewable Energy Projects released for public consultation
- Guideline can be applied to solar, wind, and battery projects throughout the State
- Release meets community and industry calls for guidance
- Consultation open until 4 August 2025
Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson has today released the Draft Guideline on Community Benefits for Renewable Energy Projects as the Cook Government works to ensure that all Western Australians benefit from the energy transition.
Regional communities located where there are strong renewable resources will play a key role in the energy transition. The development of renewables projects will provide significant benefits, delivering clean electrons across our State as well as creating jobs and supply chain opportunities.
The release of the Draft Guideline at a WA Local Government Association Renewable Energy Forum follows calls by local governments, industry, and communities for guidance.
Renewable energy proponents have signalled their willingness to invest in community benefits but have expressed a desire for government to introduce broad guidelines to set clearer and more consistent expectations around these benefits. This approach has also been taken in other jurisdictions with the support of the sector.
The Guideline is intended to provide industry with greater investment certainty and offer a starting point for discussions to frame sensible arrangements that balance benefit for the local community with the affordability of energy, recognising that benefits from renewable energy generation infrastructure such as wind turbines, solar farms, and batteries may not be experienced in proportion to the impact on the local area.
The aim is to make the process for community consultation simpler for everyone involved.
The principles of the Draft Guideline are applicable across WA, but the approach outlined is most relevant to projects intending to connect to the South West Interconnected System.
The Draft Guideline can be found on the Energy Policy WA website. Consultation on the guideline closes on 4 August 2025.
As stated by Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Industry and communities have been clear - and this government has listened and delivered.
"The Draft Guideline provides support for the community and renewable energy developers to achieve sensible arrangements that balance benefit for the local community with the affordability of energy.
"I am pleased to have worked with WALGA to understand the needs of local governments, and to hear from them today as we launch this Draft Guideline.
"The Cook Government is working hard to ensure the benefits of the energy transition are spread throughout Western Australia. The Draft Guideline is one way of achieving that."
