Australia’s first Indigenous-owned energy retailer is celebrating a “significant win” on its journey to cement itself as a national company.
After launching in Victoria in mid-2024, Yurringa Energy will expand to South Australia and Queensland through an agreement with NBN.
The $1.6 million contract means Yurringa will supply electricity to NBN’s major network operation sites in Queensland and SA.
Yurringa Energy chief executive Shane Wilkins said the partnership is a “significant win” in the retailer’s journey to establish itself as a national company.
“What we’re demonstrating is that an Aboriginal business can work in essential services, not only in the state that they reside and they’re born, but across the country, and deliver as good a quality service and as good a product as the big boys,” he told AAP.
Yurringa Energy managing director Daniel Briggs said the agreement is an example of what corporate leadership and First Nations economic advancement can look like.
“Recognising and valuing the importance of contributing to the growth of Indigenous engagement in the energy industry is significantly impacting on workforce diversity and growth,” he said.
Although it’s Yurringa’s first foray out of Victoria, Mr Wilkins said the company wants to be one of the largest employers of Aboriginal people in the country, with a goal for First Nations people to make up 50 per cent of its workforce.
“We want to inspire other Aboriginal businesses and companies and people to have a crack,” he said.
“We think being the first of anything sets precedent, it proves concept, it’s all of those good things that tells community you can do this.”
NBN regional and remote chief development officer Gavin Williams said he’s proud the company is able to leverage its supply chain to contribute to employment opportunities for First Nations people.
“By partnering with Yurringa Energy we’re not only getting a good commercial deal, importantly we’re playing a role in transformative change by contributing to a more inclusive and equitable economy,” he said.
“We acknowledge that our role extends beyond connectivity and we must also support culturally safe and appropriate use of technology, expand our employment and business pathways with First Nations people and deliver community-led programs and solutions.”
NBN is also involved in installing wi-fi services in more than 100 Indigenous communities across the nation, which Mr Wilkins called a “wonderful thing” that Yurringa Energy hopes to support in the future.
SOURCE: AAP
