The Western Australian Government has released draft guidelines on community benefits from renewable energy projects, which aims to ensure that the benefits of the energy transition are shared with everyone.
The State Government said that regional communities located where there are strong renewable resources will play a key role in the energy transition, and the development of renewables projects will provide significant benefits, delivering clean electrons across the state as well as creating jobs and supply chain opportunities.
The release of the Draft Guideline on Community Benefits for Renewable Energy Projects at a Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) Renewable Energy Forum follows calls by local governments, industry, and communities for guidance.
According to the State Government, renewable energy proponents have signalled their willingness to invest in community benefits but have expressed a desire for 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 guideline is intended to provide industry with greater investment certainty and offer a starting point for discussions to frame sensible arrangements that balance benefit for the local community with the affordability of energy, recognising 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.
The aim is to make the process for community consultation simpler for everyone involved, and the principles of the draft guideline are applicable across Western Australia, but the approach outlined is most relevant to projects intending to connect to the SWIS (South West Interconnected System).
Western Australian Energy and Decarbonisation Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson, said that industry and communities have been clear, and the State Government has listened and delivered.
“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.
“I am pleased to have worked with WALGA to understand the needs of local governments, and to hear from them today as we launch this draft guideline.
“The State 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.
