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First Nations & The Energy Transition Forum

Partnering and collaborating with First Nations to achieve Australia’s Net Zero targets

4 – 5 December 2025 | Novotel Perth Langley, Perth

BUY A PASS Register Your Interest

overview

First Nations & The Energy Transition Forum is a key gathering addressing energy security and exploring the role First Nations communities have in Australia’s transition to clean energy. This event brings together industry and community leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities that will drive the path towards net zero while providing a valuable opportunity for attendees to learn about the latest insights and best practices to engage and benefit First Nations communities through partnerships to achieve project success.

Key topics that will be covered include:

  • Government role and initiatives
  • Economic return, investments, incentives and opportunities
  • Best practices for effective collaboration, including building trust, transparency, and communication
  • International and national case studies of successful partnership initiatives for new energy infrastructure projects, highlighting the challenges and opportunities involved
  • Community-led renewable energy projects in First Nations communities
  • Partnerships between First Nations communities and clean energy organisations
  • Sustaining energy security and addressing challenges faced by First Nations communities
  • Mitigating impacts on culturally significant areas and ensuring Traditional Owners’ engagement in energy projects
  • Transitioning from diesel reliance to solar panels and microgrids in remote First Nations communities
  • Exploring benefit-sharing opportunities such as job creation and project equity

Speakers

Dominic Da Cruz

Executive ESG & Stakeholder Relations, Zenith Energy

Courtney Parker

Senior Category & Contracts Specialist, Western Power

Tommy Hicks

Head of Culture and Community, Indigenous Energy Australia

Tim Bray

Assistant Coordinator, Strategic and Consumer Policy, Energy Policy WA, Department of Energy and Economic Diversification

Cat Holland

Senior Consultant, Indigenous Energy Australia

Gavin Brown

CEO, Yamagigu Consulting

Erica Lampropoulos

Executive Director, Pollination Group

Tamara Brooker

GM Project Development, Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation

Sophie Cunneen

Executive Director, Green Energy, Infrastructure WA

Garry Mueller

Investment Director, Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF)

Jonathan Peris

Head of Aboriginal Affairs, SunCable

Nikkita Lee

Project Officer, Pollination Group

Attilio Pigneri

Founder and CEO, The Hydrogen Utility (H2U)

Raquel Todd

Managing Director, Blak Line

Topaz McAuliffe

Founder and CEO, 15 Times Better

Sam Kirby

First Nations Node Leader, Powering Australia

Will Davis

Managing Director, Pilbara Solar

Bushra Ahmed

Financial Analyst, SP Energy

Chanell Moollan

Senior Stakeholder Engagement Consultant, GHD

Will Story

Commercial Director, AMPYR

Masoud Abshar

Managing Director, Magellan Power

Bronson Richards

Consultant - First Nations Advisory, IPS Management Consultants

Mr. Steve Nethery

CEO, SP Energy

Charley McDonald

Yindjibarndi Lead Ranger, Yindjibarndi Nation

Agenda

8:15 am

Registration & Coffee

9:00 am

Welcome to Country

9:10 am

OPENING | Opening remarks from the Chair

Bronson Richards, Consultant - First Nations Advisory, IPS Management Consultants

9:20 am

  • Discover NAIF’s role, Investment Mandate and contribution to Australia’s energy transition.
  • Explore case studies of NAIF-backed energy projects across northern Australia.
  • Learn how we partner with Traditional Owners to support Indigenous participation in the energy sector.

9:50 am

The Pilbara region contributes around 40% of Western Australia’s total carbon emission, primarily due to the fossil fuel used to power major industries.

The State Government, through the Pilbara Energy Transition (PET) Plan, aims to rapidly reduce carbon emissions in the region by developing of common-use transmission lines that connect new renewable energy projects to where the energy is consumed.

A key focus of the Plan is supporting Aboriginal peoples and their communities to participate in and benefit from the energy transition in the region, how and as they choose.

Through embodying a place-based approach, leveraging federal funding, Aboriginal leadership and collaboration between Traditional Owners, Industry and Government – the Plan seeks to deliver a more equitable energy transition.

10:15 am

Horizon 2035 - First Nations as critical partners in the energy transition

Sam Kirby, First Nations Node Leader, Powering Australia

10:40 am

Networking and refreshment break

11:20 am

  • Considering Indigenous Intellectual Property in design or implementation of AI
  • Considering impact of AI implementation on indigenous peoples, and places of cultural significance
  • How to include first nations suppliers in major projects

11:45 am

Nikkita and Erica will discuss the significant potential for First Nations leadership in the development of renewable energy projects, and how Pollination is working with its partners to create exciting opportunities and break down barriers. They will also talk about the tangible and intangible advantages associated with First Nations ownership.

12:10 pm

  • How meaningful engagement with First Nations communities underpins project success in the transition to clean energy.
  • Case studies of joint ventures and partnerships that create shared value and long-term benefits.
  • Challenges and opportunities in co-designing projects that balance commercial outcomes with community priorities.

12:35 pm

  • Restoring The Tranquillity – Project Night Sky
  • The Karijini Technical Specifications and Project Effectiveness
  • WA’s North-West – Photovoltaic Advantages and Unique Challenges
  • Immersive Engineering –Engineers to experience the community and the environment.
  • Importance of Energy Reliability – this isn’t just power, it’s a lifeline.
  • The Karijini for Communities.

12:50 pm

Lunch and networking break

1:50 pm

SunCable’s initiatives to engage with First Nations Communities

Jonathan Peris, Head of Aboriginal Affairs, SunCable

2:15 pm

Empowering Futures: Building Genuine Procurement Partnerships with Aboriginal Businesses supporting the Energy Transition

Raquel Todd, Managing Director, Blak Line

2:40 pm

Indigenous Energy Australia: shifting mindsets in community infrastructure

Cat Holland, Senior Consultant, Indigenous Energy Australia

3:05 pm

Networking and refreshment break

3:40 pm

Driving Government Support for Equity in Large-Scale Green Energy Projects

Bushra Ahmed, Financial Analyst, SP Energy

Mr. Steve Nethery, CEO, SP Energy

4:05 pm

First Nations participation in renewable energy projects - what are the opportunities

Will Davis, Managing Director, Pilbara Solar

4:30 pm

“From intent to impact – building industry capability for genuine First Nations engagement”

  • The current state of industry readiness for First Nations engagement in renewable energy projects
  • Practical approaches to building cultural competency and engagement capability within energy companies and investor organisations
  • The role of capacity-building programs in preparing both industry stakeholders and First Nations communities for meaningful partnership
  • Case studies demonstrating the business case for investing in engagement capability, including risk mitigation, project acceleration, and enhanced social licence
  • Recommendations for systematic capability uplift across the energy transition ecosystem, from policy settings to procurement requirements and professional development pathways

5:00 pm

Closing remarks from the Chair

5:05 pm

Networking Function

9:00 am

OPENING | Opening remarks from the Chair

Chanell Moollan, Senior Stakeholder Engagement Consultant, GHD

9:10 am

  • The market exists: First Nations groups have the wherewithal, and are finally gaining access to capital
  • Alongside REZ and related policy settings, proactive engagement can align community and proponent interests relatively quickly
  • The Wambal Bila deal / Case Study: 5% interest in a new $450m BESS development in NSW – a walk-through of the transaction to explain what was required to make this all work, and why any large scale proponent and local First Nations communities can do the same.

9:35 am

  • Western Australia’s transition hinges on coordinated, long-term infrastructure planning with critical infrastructure often built on native title land creating opportunities for co-designed projects that respect cultural heritage while enabling economic participation.
  • The energy transition presents enormous economic and social opportunities for traditional owners. This should translate to reliable power for remote communities, improved services, and the chance to lead local solutions that reflect cultural values and environmental stewardship.
  • To successfully navigate the energy transition, a ‘whole of economy’ approach is needed and this should embed Indigenous leadership in policy, planning and infrastructure delivery, not just as interested stakeholders.

10:00 am

Indigenous-led renewable energy initiative, Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation, is sharing project updates as they prepare for construction to begin next year.

10:25 am

Networking and refreshment break

11:00 am

Enabling outcomes through truth telling lessons learned from water and energy projects

Tommy Hicks, Head of Culture and Community, Indigenous Energy Australia

11:25 am

H2-Hub Gladstone Project: Collaborating with First Nations Communities

Attilio Pigneri, Founder and CEO, The Hydrogen Utility (H2U)

11:50 am

  • First Nations equity stakes in renewable energy projects can add value to projects – and provide 20 year revenue to support First Nations communities invest in their priorities
  • Partnerships can work commercially and culturally – getting this right will ensure they can become standard practice across the clean energy transition
  • Learnings from the Wellington Aboriginal Community’s equity stake in AMPYR Australia’s Bulabul Battery can help communities and developers shape their own partnership

12:15 pm

Closing remarks from the Chair & Lunch

1:15 pm

END OF CONFERENCE

Sponsors

Community Showcase Sponsor

Pricing

Packages Price
Package(Two Days)$2895+GST

Event Pricing

  • Standard: $2,895 + GST (register from 1 November 2025)

There is a limited number of discounted conference passes available for eligible First Nations-owned small businesses (less than 10 employees). For more information, please email [email protected]

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities

Reconnect and re-engage with your industry peers at the First Nations & The Energy Transition Forum.

There are many opportunities for networking including social events such as networking drinks, refreshment breaks and lunches, making this not just a conference… but an all encompassing industry “experience”.

Event sponsorship or exhibiting will allow your organisation to:

  • Build relationships with potential and existing clients
  • Generate leads from a high-level, targeted audience
  • Close sales in a more personal manner than via phone
  • Demonstrate your product in person
  • Network with the industry
  • Build brand awareness

To see what is on offer please contact:

Valerie Pogrebizhsky
Sponsorship Manager | Informa Australia
Direct: +61 (0)2 9080 4362
[email protected]

Interviews

The Value of Native Title in Australia’s Energy Transition

Windlab’s Approach to Engaging With Traditional Owners

First Nations Perspectives in Australia’s Clean Energy Transition

Insights

Why being curious is the best way to engage communities
Between 2019-2023, it is estimated that 23 percent of project failures were the product of poor stakeholder management; and, for projects that survive community pushback, there can be hiccups, delays and challenges down the track when seeking further approvals. Read more >>

Event Code Of Conduct

We want everyone who comes to our events to have a great experience. This code explains our expectations and rules, which includes general good practice behaviour, and how to report anything witnessed or experienced that goes against them. Read our Event Code of Conduct here.

Sustainability

Our Commitment to Sustainability

In Australia, we are committed to running our events in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Across Informa Connect we are focusing on the short and long-term sustainability impacts we have on customers and colleagues alongside the communities we work in.

We recognise that it’s not just about the way we produce our events and products but recognising that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve.

To read more on our latest sustainability reports and Faster Forward initiatives – click here.

when & where

04 - 05 Dec 2025

Novotel Perth Langley
221 Adelaide Terrace
Perth WA 6000
+61 (08) 9221 1200

Get Directions
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contact

Still have a question?

General Information & Registration
Customer Service
+61 (0) 2 9080 4307
[email protected]

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
Valerie Pogrebizhsky
+61 (2) 9080 4362
[email protected]

Speaking Enquiries
Aya Mersal
+61 (2) 9080 4338
[email protected]

Marketing & Media Enquiries
Alys Pryde
[email protected]

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