A better way to win community support for clean energy projects

When a recent Community Engagement review by the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commission revealed that 92 percent of respondents were dissatisfied with the extent to which renewable project developers engaged with the local community, it revealed what those working in the sector had known for a long time.

“Landholder and community engagement in renewables space is not as mature as it needs to be,” said Sabiene Heindl , CEO of The Energy Charter .

In pursuit of better outcomes, Ms Heindl and colleagues have been trialling a new way to win public backing for large scale clean energy projects.

The human-centred stakeholder engagement model is the same co-design approach that has guided the Queensland Renewable Energy Code development, and has so far been a success.

So, what exactly does it involve?

Ahead of the Energy Infrastructure and Community Engagement Conference, Ms Heindl gives some insight.

Everyone is heard

The method brings together community outcome groups, with representatives from agricultural landholders, neighbours, First Nation communities, environmentalists, social service organisations and local councils.

Everyone is given equal say, with all discussion points going into a ‘feedback loop’, and each one deeply considered. In the event community expectations are not met, members will have the opportunity to ask ‘if not, why not?’

“The groups have all the important “usual suspects” in them. What’s critical is that they are all together in one room,” Ms Heindl said.

“These sorts of conversations are usually just had between two parties independently – rarely between all the different stakeholders together. Community engagement can be quite siloed, so it is good to break down the barriers for a mutual conversation.

“And having that in a comfortable environment, ideally in community, automatically puts people on equal footing. It conveys the message that everyone’s views are important.”

Better practice guidance

As well as facilitating these forums, Ms Heindl and colleagues are encouraging ‘better practice guidance’ which helps inform stakeholders on what they can expect from each project.

“It’s one thing to have a mandatory code that tells people what to do; it’s another to explain the opportunities to deliver genuinely better outcomes for landholders and communities, with practical advice and resources.

“For example, there are opportunities that align with what farmers have told us are important in the Queensland Farming Federation Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit,” Ms Heindl said.

While this support can benefit landholder and community members, Ms Heindl emphasises that the onus should not be on landholders and communities to seek knowledge, rather for renewable developers to proactively provide it.

“Historically, community members would ask 100 questions to get the knowledge they needed from renewable developers. Now, better practice is clearly that landholders and communities are proactively provided with answers ahead of the questions being asked.”

More accountability

Clearly setting out landholder and community expectations has also highlighted the need for accountability around certain practices such as land-banking.

Land-banking – where land remains exclusive to the prospective renewable developer during contract negotiations – can harm the landholder in the event the wind or solar farm does not materialise.

This is particularly true if the landholder has foregone lucrative opportunities with other renewable developers during the negotiation period.

“Landholders have been identified this a critical issue. Agreements with landholders can span years and, in that period, preclude any other renewable developers from approaching them. It can be very disappointing to landholders if the development doesn’t go ahead, which is not uncommon. We’ve heard stories that there are up to thirty developers knocking on the doors of farmers, but only three to five projects will go ahead.”

The practice can be especially harmful to landholders who may be in complex situations, such as long-term succession planning for their farms.

“There is a psychological impact for farmers. Someone might be trying to decide whether or not to sell the farm or give it to their offspring. If they are expecting a lot of money for wind turbines that doesn’t materialise, it can be deeply upsetting.”

While Ms Heindl stresses that most renewable developers have good intentions, it can be hard for landholders to decipher which projects are credible.

“Unfortunately it can be hard for farmers to work out who is who in the zoo. There isn’t always information readily available for farmers on all renewable developers, especially smaller ones. Smaller developers may indeed be credible and have feasible projects, but it is harder for landholders to know for sure.

“That’s why we encourage more accountability for renewable developers.”

Collaboration framework

Instead of imposing a solution on communities, the person-centred method enables communities to be actively involved. Ms Heindl says this ownership ensures better outcomes all round.

“When people have been there every step of the journey, the landholder and community support take renewable energy projects further.

“It can take longer and isn’t necessarily an easier route, but the outcomes speak for themselves.

“As the old adage goes, if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go further go together.”

Further insight

Sharing more views and insights Sabiene Heindl will present alongside Dominic Luddy of Acciona at the upcoming Energy Infrastructure and Community Engagement Conference.

This year’s event will be held 12-3 November at the Swissotel Sydney.

Learn more and register your tickets here.

About Sabiene Heindl

Sabiene Heindl is the CEO of the Energy Charter, a pioneering coalition of energy organizations united by a shared passion for putting customers and communities at the heart of the energy transition. With a proven track record of driving transformational change, Sabiene brings a wealth of experience from senior leadership roles in energy, telecommunications, media and legal sectors.

Previously serving in the CEO Office at Energy Consumers Australia, Sabiene has consistently championed innovative, human-centred solutions.

With a strong background as a corporate lawyer and a deep commitment to people-driven outcomes, Sabiene is passionate about shaping the future of energy through purpose-driven leadership and inspiring decision-making that creates meaningful impact for all.