ACCIONA Energía’s Turbine Made initiative is the first in Australia to transform retired wind turbine blades into new products, launching the world’s first surfboards made from decommissioned blades with pro surfer Josh Kerr. The project is sparking a national conversation about circularity in renewables and encouraging cross-industry collaboration.

Neoen’s grid connection team has played a significant role in the Connection Reform Initiatives (CRI) over time, sharing their extensive experience to improve industry understanding of connection processes. They have advocated for better comprehension and application of National Electricity Rules (NER) change processes to help accelerate the renewable energy transition.

Rahul Victor, Executive Director - Grid, Windlab has been a key contributor to numerous industry reforms, rule changes, and advocacy initiatives through the Clean Energy Council, AEMC and AEMO over recent years. In the 2024-25 financial year alone, his work has included progressing expansion options for the NSW South-West Renewable Energy Zone, supporting the establishment of the CEC/AEMO Grid Connection Engineer Graduate Program and advancing the Improving NEM Access Standards rule change. He has also been actively involved in several Connection Reform Initiative streams, including 5.3.9, R1 Capability, Automatic Access Standard target requirements and the development of a materiality and risk framework.

The Renewables Done Right project highlights regional voices in Australia’s renewable energy transition. It shares honest stories captured by RE-Alliance and Production Group, to show that, while the shift isn’t always perfect, it can deliver lasting benefits to communities when done well.

Squadron Energy’s collaboration with Dubbo Regional Council has been the foundation of the company’s investment in the region. Each legacy project was co-designed to align with Council’s long-term strategic priorities and community needs, including development of a Wastewater Treatment Plant providing long-term water security, repurposing of a vacant nursing home for worker accommodation and development of a muti-use education and training facility. 

Summary information for this finalist will be added soon.

Potentia Energy partnered with the Girgarre community in Victoria to deliver a solar farm that supports local aspirations, economic revitalisation and inclusive growth. Through deep collaboration, benefit sharing and cultural respect, the project became a source of pride and empowerment, demonstrating a scalable model for community-led renewable energy development in regional Australia.

With social sustainability at the fore, RES’ focus on transparency and building trust with the local community for the Kerrs Creek Wind Farm in NSW saw development and delivery of a proactive engagement strategy with local stakeholders and Traditional Owners that included holding tailored information sessions, addressing concerns and incorporating community feedback into project changes, ensuring there were tangible benefits designed with and for the community.

A community information session in Molong

A community information session in Euchareena

The Kerrs Creek team before a community info session    

Transgrid’s Discovery Hub is community collaboration in action, co-designed with residents in and around Wagga Wagga. A space for learning and connecting, the Hub is delivering a legacy of opportunity and empowerment as locals participate in shaping their own renewable energy future.

On 17 October 2024, the Silverton and Broken Hill communities were left without power. Although Tilt Renewables’ assets could not be connected to the grid at the time, the organisation sought to support local communities in a time of need. Working with local stakeholders, a range of support measures, such as donating to Meals on Wheels, funding voucher programs, installing backup generators and providing solar and battery solutions, were identified to address immediate shortages and build future resilience.

A thank you dinner with the Silverton Community 

Heightened misinformation and opposition to renewables in the Wimmera can impact all renewable development projects and communities. In response, a comprehensive communications and engagement initiative was created to deliver clear, confident and accurate pro-renewables messaging. The wide-ranging actions – FAQ campaigns, hyper-local storytelling, dedicated advertorials, local staff, meetings and forums – are helping to improve understanding and advocacy efforts.

Blackrock Industries’ partnership with Fluence Energy and AGL gave incarcerated First Nations men more than just jobs, it gave them hope. On the world’s largest battery project, Lidell Battery Energy Storage (BESS) project, they found dignity, purpose and belonging. Many are now in full-time work, living proof that when given a chance, people can transform their lives.

Recognising that its workforce did not wholly reflect the communities its serves, Tilt Renewables developed a Diversity, equity and inclusion strategy grounded in employee feedback, external reviews and industry benchmarking. Their initiatives included measurable targets for gender, LGBTQIA+, First Nations representation and accessibility, supported by employee reference groups and inclusive policies such as extended parental leave, life leave and gender affirmation leave.

Stickers created to celebrate IDAHOBIT day

The Aldoga Wind Farm partnership between the First Nations Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Taribelang Bunda People Development Corporation and European Energy Australia exemplifies co-designed renewable energy development. Grounded in shared equity and cultural collaboration, the project sees Traditional Owner leadership, participation, and benefit-sharing, as well as the embedding of cultural values, self-determination and mutual respect into every phase.

Iberdrola Australia and Gunaikurnai Land & Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) invested 18 months building a trusted and respectful relationship foundation. Active listening and learning of GLaWAC’s aspirations and values for Country, Sea, and community, realised a landmark Engagement Agreement. Iberdrola Australia was the first offshore wind developer to have achieved this historic outcome.

Transgrid’s Biodiversity Strategy supports a coordinated approach across projects to minimise ecological impacts. This includes Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements to improve the condition of the site, while Strategic Partnership Agreements with First Nations land management organisations are the first of their kind in Australia’s energy industry.

Covering the climate and environment round means reporting on the progress, challenges and debates in the energy transition. In a series of feature stories, Caitlin Fitzsimmons sought to debunk myths and address common issues relating to the transition using real-life case studies and graphics. Her stories reached tens of thousands of readers through print and online channels.

Australia’s green energy transition faces numerous challenges, most notably the assumption that wind, solar and batteries do not work, and can’t power a modern economy. South Australia is proof that it can, with 75 per cent of its electricity demand now coming from wind and solar, and a government target of 100 per cent net renewables by 2027. Yet this is hardly known outside the state and poorly understand within the state. A RenewEconomy series sought to shed a light on the milestones, achievements, technical developments and challenges of South Australia’s transition, the opportunities and the lessons learned along the way.

The Local Energy Hubs campaign saw delivery of a compelling media strategy that acknowledged the genuine concerns of regional communities hosting renewables, while offering a clear solution to build trust, provide support and information. The campaign has secured close to 1,500 media hits across all platforms over the past 12 months.