Wiradjuri community secures equity ownership in Wellington BESS

An Indigenous community-led corporation in Wellington, NSW, has entered into an agreement that gives it the right to take long-term equity ownership in the local Wellington Stage 1 BESS (battery energy storage system).

Named Wambal Bila (Wiradjuri for “mountain-river”), the new corporation is led by Wiradjuri people who are accountable to its membership, which is open to the Wellington Aboriginal community.

“It’s great to see First Nations communities working with proponents to develop and trial innovative arrangements, including equity, towards clean energy solutions and benefit sharing,” said Karrina Nolan, co-Chair of the First Nations Clean Energy Network.

The equity right gives Wambal Bila the option to take a 5% equity stake in the battery project, with the underlying stake including both a right to a preferred, fixed annual return and a share of ongoing equity returns alongside other investors.

The equity arrangement was developed between Wambal Bila and and independent power company AMPYR Australia under a set of agreements between the parties, which will see AMPYR Australia provide up to $300,000 to support Wambal Bila establish its initial operations. Wambal Bila and AMPYR Australia will also seek to agree to a similar equity stake in the Wellington Stage 2 BESS.

AMPYR said the arrangement was the first equity partnership in a developer-led project where the local First Nations community has no native title or related legal rights, or other pre-existing economic base. As such, it has the potential to set a precedent for other renewable energy developments across Australia. AMPYR Australia expressed its commitment to exploring equity partnerships with local First Nations Communities in its pipeline of upcoming projects.

As part of their partnership, Wambal Bila and AMPYR Australia have agreed to rename the project the Bulabul Battery. Bulabul means “two acting together” in Wiradjuri, representing the partnership between the community and the project. The concept also reflects the meeting of the Bell and Macquarie rivers at Wellington — an important local landmark and an inspiration for the Bulabul Battery logo.

“The creation of Wambal Bila is a testament to a new era of partnership and empowerment within the energy sector,” said Wambal Bila Director Keiyana Guihot. “It ensures that the benefits of the Bulabul Battery project flow directly back to our community, enabling us to invest in our cultural heritage, create economic opportunities, and support the wellbeing of our people for generations to come. We believe this model will inspire similar collaborations across the industry.”

Alex Wonhas, CEO of AMPYR Australia, said the agreement was a major turning point for large energy projects. “At AMPYR, we’re extremely proud to work alongside Wambal Bila to shift the focus from short-term regional construction jobs to empowering communities through long-term ownership and sustained benefit,” he said.

“We hope this sets a new industry standard that will soon become the norm for energy projects in Australia and beyond.”

Both organisations said they were committed to sharing learnings and non-commercially sensitive materials to facilitate the adaptation and application of this approach across other renewable energy developments.

Multiple advisors and organisations were involved in the creation of Wambal Bila. Corrs Chambers Westgarth advised the community and Wambal Bila on its establishment and entry into the partnership, Ashurst advised AMPYR Australia on the development of the equity structure, and Yamagigu Consulting provided financial and strategic support to the community and Wambal Bila.

Image caption: Official groundbreaking ceremony for the Bulabul Battery, Wellington, NSW. Image: Supplied