Octopus eyes huge solar, battery and green hydrogen plans in First Nations deal

Renewable energy developer Octopus Australia is eyeing a series of large solar and battery storage projects – and the emerging green hydrogen supply industry – in the Northern Territory after striking a revenue sharing deal with First Nations groups.

The agreement with the Larrakia Nation and the Jawoyn Association has led to the creation of Desert Springs Octopus, a majority Indigenous owned company backed by Octopus Australia, and with a $1 billion near term pipeline of projects.

These include 100 MW to 150MW of large scale solar, along with 30MWh to 50MWh of battery storage near Darwin, indicating that it will be a bidder in the newly announced auction for solar and battery projects by the state-owned energy retailer Jacana.

Desert Spring Octopus is also eyeing opportunities of another 10MW to 15MW of solar with 2 MWh to 3MWh of battery storage into the Defence portfolio, and another 60 MW to 80MW of solar with 5 to 10MWh of storage for a major mining operation.

The new venture is also eyeing the development of green hydrogen projects will be be a key driver of the NT Government’s ambition for a $40 billion economy by 2030.

Octopus says the Larrakia and Jawoyn communities are connected to Country around Darwin and Katherine, equivalent in size to 25% of the UK land mass, and includes Australia’s closest major port to Asia, one critical for hydrogen export.

It follows similar deals struck in Western Australia with First Nations groups, one by Pollination with MG Corporation, the Balanggarra Aboriginal Corporation and the Kimberley Land Council for a massive renewable and green hydrogen project around the Old River.

Another agreement between Acen Australia and Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) will target at least 750MW of wind, solar and batteries in the Pilbara.

The agreements with Octopus include revenue sharing, co-ownership and skills training. Funding for the projects will be sought from institutional investors, and off takes from governments and mining companies.

“Working with Desert Springs Octopus will make Jawoyn Association a part of renewable energy projects on Jawoyn Country, helping us achieve economic independence,” said John Berto, the CEO of Jawoyn Association.

“We see renewable energy as part of the future. Jawoyn want to pursue projects in this partnership to include caring for Country, and we welcome the creation of jobs and the chance to develop new skills for our people. ”

“We are looking forward to being a genuine partner in this exciting project that aligns with our values of protecing and caring for Country,” said Michael Rotumah, the CEO of Larrakia Nation.