Feedback sought on benefits from clean energy projects

In response to calls from industry, community and local government, the WA Govt has released a Draft Guideline on Community Benefits for Renewable Energy Projects.

WA’s Energy and Decarbonisation Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson, introduced the Draft Guideline at a WA Local Government Association (WALGA) Renewable Energy Forum.

The proposed guideline comes at a time when regional communities located in areas with strong renewable resources are expected to play a key role in the energy transition. In addition to delivering clean energy, the development of such projects would create jobs and supply chain opportunities, the government said.

While renewable energy proponents have signalled their willingness to invest in community benefits, they have asked the state 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 Draft Guideline’s underlying aim is to make the process for community consultation simpler for everyone involved, the government said.

“Industry and communities have been clear — and this government has listened and delivered,” Sanderson said.

“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.”

The guideline also recognises 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.

While the principles of the Draft Guideline are applicable across WA, the approach outlined is most relevant to projects intending to connect to the South West Interconnected System.

“I am pleased to have worked with WALGA to understand the needs of local governments, and to hear from them … as we launch this Draft Guideline,” Sanderson said.

“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.”

The Draft Guideline can be found on the Energy Policy WA website. Consultation on the guideline closes on 4 August 2025.

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