Desert Springs Octopus (DSO), a majority Indigenous owned and operated company backed Octopus Australia, has announced renewable energy Benefit Sharing Agreements with two Northern Territory community organisations: the Larrakia Nation and Jawoyn Association.
The agreements detail how renewable energy projects can be developed in partnership with First Nations communities to include co-ownership of projects, job creation, and skills training for the emerging green sector.
The new partners will initially pursue solar and battery projects, including 100MW to 150MW of solar with 30MWh to 50MWh of storage near Darwin in the Northern Territories.
Also slated for development is 60MW to 80MW of solar coupled with between 5 to 10MWh of storage for mining operation and 10MW to 15MW of solar with between 2MWh to 3MWh of battery storage for which the Australian Defence Force is expected to be the eventual offtaker.
The two communities are connected to land around Darwin and Katherine, with the combined area equivalent in size to 25% of the UK land mass.
This also includes Australia’s closest major port to Asia, one critical for hydrogen export potential.
These landmark agreements, endorsed by the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network, were signed by representatives from Desert Springs Octopus, Jawoyn and Larrakia Nation.
Desert Springs Octopus has been created to lead the way on renewable energy projects that are developed on the communities land by walking with community to co-design Australia’s energy future in the spirit of self-determination and reconciliation.
This is done with a shared vision for the communities concept of Country and an acknowledgement of the restorative importance of this initiative for First Nations peoples.
The future will see Desert Springs Octopus and First Nations community partners pursue development of green hydrogen projects, which are a key driver of the Northern Territory Government’s ambition for a AUS$40bn economy by 2030.
They aim to achieve this by leveraging the significant land, natural renewable energy resources and access to Northern Territory export infrastructure.
Michael Rotumah, chief executive of Larrakia Nation, commented: “Larrakia Nation, which represents the Traditional Owners of the greater Darwin region, is ready to jump into this partnership with Desert Springs Octopus.
“We are grateful that Desert Springs Octopus heard our ambitions and aspirations to unlock our own economic independence and support more Larrakia people to create intergenerational wealth.
“We are looking forward to being a genuine partner in this exciting project that aligns with our values of protecting and caring for Country.”
John Berto, chief executive of Jawoyn Association, added: “Working with Desert Springs Octopus will make Jawoyn Association a part of renewable energy projects on Jawoyn Country, helping us achieve economic independence.
“We see renewable energy as part of the future. Jawoyn want to pursue projects in this partnership to include caring for Country, and we welcome the creation of jobs and the chance to develop new skills for our people.”
Bevan Mailman, co-chair of Desert Springs Octopus, said: “A new season has commenced, and Desert Springs Octopus welcomes the opportunity to set a new standard in relation to infrastructure development, based on walking closely with First Nations communities and building a future together.”