The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Farmers and regional communities will get clearer, independent information about companies seeking to develop renewable energy projects on their land following the launch of the Australian-first Renewable Energy Developer Rating Scheme.
With the help of Equifax Australasia Credit Ratings Pty Ltd, the Albanese Government will design and operate the scheme to assess large-scale renewable energy and transmission companies vying to develop projects on land across rural and regional areas.
60 developers have signed up to be the first to pilot the scheme and will test the business performance and community engagement assessments before the scheme launches for further participants in March 2026.
Following the pilot, information about developers that meet minimum assessment standards will be free and open to the public, improving transparency, strengthening accountability and ultimately supporting more efficient and effective consultation processes.
This approach reflects other successful schemes, including NSW's iCIRT scheme which oversees the building industry, where successful participants are listed on the public register whereas those that avoid the scrutiny or fail to meet the standards are not.
On behalf of Government, Equifax will also work with local, state and territory governments, landholders, community organisations and industry bodies during design and testing.
A key recommendation of the 2023 Community Engagement Review by former Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer, the scheme will objectively assess developer integrity, governance, financial stability and community engagement capability.
The Developer Ratings Scheme builds on the success of the Capacity Investment Scheme which incentivises proponents of large scale renewable energy projects to adopt better practice through targeted merit criteria. Successful CIS projects have committed $805 million to community benefits and over $14.7 billion to local content across the Tenders 1 and 2.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:
"Australian farmers and regional communities deserve straight answers and high standards.
"This independent rating scheme will shine a light on developer behaviour so landholders can make informed decisions and will ensure everyone lifts their game when it comes to working with communities.
"Good operators who engage early and respectfully will be recognised-and those who don't will be required to lift their game. That's how we build confidence and get the right projects in the right places.
"Australia is in the middle of a renewable energy revolution and it's crucial that we deliver more reliable renewable energy and a stable grid while working to reduce emissions in a fair way that delivers for the regions hosting this vital new infrastructure."
Quotes attributable to Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Tony Mahar:
"I am encouraged that the Developer Rating Scheme has reached this milestone and look forward to a system that gives the community confidence that poor practices and behaviour relating to the energy transition is being weeded out as soon as possible.
"I will work closely with Equifax to ensure that the detail of the scheme delivers tangible benefits for the community about how the energy transition is progressed.
"Providing a transparent and credible source of information is critical for local communities. Whilst the scheme is voluntary at this stage, we encourage all developers to participate and would question any that chose not to."
