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Energy & Utilities | Mining & Resources
18 Nov 2025, by Amy Sarcevic
Independent power producer (IPP) Zenith Energy has progressed a series of agreements to help deliver renewable projects on native title land, more equitably.
The agreements, which are the first of their kind for an Australia IPP, offer varying rights and funding arrangements between proponents, the IPP, and traditional owners (TO). Some offer equity stakes in exchange for shovel ready projects, while others involve more complex incentives and ownership structures.
Having contracted most of Australia’s mining offgrid high fraction renewable energy hybrid power systems since 2021, Zenith saw it as good business sense to pen the agreements, claiming they are more sustainable than traditional methods.
To date, Zenith is the only IPP in the mining sector to have a formal engagement agreement in place with TOs, but Dominic Da Cruz, Executive ESG & Stakeholder Engagement, hopes they may become the new normal.
“We believe partnering can be a successful approach for a just and sustainable energy transition, and we hope others can borrow from our approach, while we continue to learn from others,” he said, ahead of the First Nations and the Energy Transition Forum.
Developer led model
The first model involves a renewable energy developer working with a TO group to develop a solar or wind farm on native title land.
In this model, the First Nations group is co-developer with 50 percent equity, and Zenith purchases a shovel ready project. Traditional owners retain some equity and achieve a return on development.
“Shovel ready, to us means all the approvals are in place and the offtake power purchase agreement has been negotiated and finalised. So effectively all we’re taking on is the construction risk, and the ongoing operation and maintenance.
“The renewable energy developer and the TO group do all the hard work in terms of development and will sell that project to us when we complete the due diligence.
“Acquisition of the development provides an immediate return to both the developer and the TO group, and the TO group retains an equity stake in the project. This means they are not only a minority owner but also receive the ongoing lease payments.” Dominic said.
While the benefits are clear, there are some drawbacks, including the potential for delayed activation of land for a First Nations Group, while all project development approvals and off-take agreements are put in place.
TO initiated model
In a second scenario, a traditional owner initiates a project with a capability partner. For example, a TO group collaborates with Zenith to develop a power solution required for a proposed commercial/industrial enterprise on country.
“This is a proactive approach by TO’s and can be beneficial in attracting preferred development on country. It includes ownership, capacity building and recurring revenue,” Dominic said.
Regional First Nations collaboration
In a third model, Zenith is collaborating with multiple TO groups in a region, to enable meaningful participation in the energy transition infrastructure that is proposed to cross their respective countries.
Within this framework, Zenith first proposed a network solution for the Goldfields Energy Transition as part of a broader systems solution to deliver net zero for WA’s Goldfields.
It then engaged TOs, miners, industry associations, and WA Government Ministers and agencies, and is now supporting the State Government to progress work on what is being called the Goldfields Regional Network (GRN).
Dominic says the model has worked well for several reasons.
“This infrastructure can be a legacy intergenerational asset for TO’s in the region. The GRN can interconnect renewable generation across the region and deliver those green electrons to the different loads in the region.
“The main objective of this is to provide reliability to Kalgoorlie, but also potentially lower cost and lower environmental disturbance by having hubs of renewable generation. Rather than having to build a behind the metre at every mine site, you’ve got them simply connecting to a network.”
There is also opportunity for the asset to be owned by the TO groups, with support from impact investors and traditional debt.
“This moves the PBCs from being reliant on royalties from mining operations, to recurring revenue, and activation of land on country for community and commerce, with enhanced ability for stewardship,” Dominic explained.
“Together with the six TO groups involved, we think the GRN can provide higher economic outcomes, it’s a great asset and business for TO’s to own.”
The collaboration model also helps strengthen the TOs, in terms of government representation.
“Their combined voices are much more powerful than an individual PBC, and they feel empowered by that – as well as being really excited about the potential to own a material asset that will enable a net zero outcome in the region and activate land, not only for themselves, but for other commercial interests, and provide an ongoing economic benefit.”
Alongside TOs, the model can benefit the broader state and country, by improving power affordability and reliability for the mining sector and downstream industries, like critical mineral processing.
“This has known-on effects for employment, export revenue and sovereign capability,” Dominic said.
Ironing out imperfections
While each model has its strengths, Dominic admits none are perfect, and that work is still needed to strike a harmonious balance between commercial and community priorities.
Sharing more on his journey to date, Dominic will present at the upcoming First Nations and the Energy Transition Forum.
This year’s event will be held 4-5 December at the Novotel Perth, Langley.
Learn more and register your tickets here.
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