It is the first utility-scale microgrid in Australia led by a First Nations co-operative, firm says
Holding Redlich has helped First Nations-led not-for-profit renewable energy developer Original Power with the NT-based Ngardara Solar Project, which involves the development of a 2.1MW solar microgrid in Borroloola.
According to the firm, this is the first utility-scale microgrid in Australia led by a First Nations co-operative. The project will be funded by $8.347m in grants from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under the First Nations stream of the Regional Microgrid Program.
“The Ngardara Community Microgrid Project directly challenges legacy energy systems to innovate and evolve to the emerging reality that First Nations communities are seeking to drive renewable energy solutions that can overcome long-term challenges to energy access and affordability”, said Madie Sturgess, Original Power’s co-director of clean energy projects. “Despite underdeveloped regulatory frameworks and traditionally monopolistic energy arrangements, the Ngardara Project has driven the Northern Territory energy sector to co-deliver a viable blueprint for genuine ownership and benefit of local energy futures - the democratisation of energy for communities historically excluded from the renewables transition”.
Original Power is collaborating with Ngardara Co-operative on the project. The cooperative was set up by Borroloola community members to spearhead the project’s development after a feasibility study was presented to the Commonwealth this year.
“This project involved developing a new model for delivering renewable energy in remote communities, including a hybrid financing structure and governance framework that supports community-led decision-making”, Holding Redlich lead partner Jeanne Vallade said. “The whole Holding Redlich team is proud to be part of Australia’s first initiative enabling clean energy autonomy for the Borroloola community, providing a replicable blueprint for Indigenous‑led energy projects nationwide”
Vallade and the firm’s team assisted throughout the whole project lifecycle, including early procurement and structuring as well as construction preparation. The team structured the project and funding framework, provided guidance on tax and regulatory matters, supported ATO engagement, and prepared and negotiated transaction documents like project, financing and governance documentation, land access arrangements, operational policies and a bespoke power purchase arrangement for the community context.
Vallade worked alongside partners Scott Schlink (construction), William Kontaxis (corporate/M&A), Dhanushka Jayawardena (tax) and Ron Eames (property); special counsel Amy Pun (corporate/M&A); senior associates Rebecca Wei (corporate), Christabel Teo and Jin Bae (construction); associates Hannah Haidley and Jessica Xu; and lawyers Valentin de Roany and Daniel Jackson.
