“Straight answers and high standards:” Bowen presses go on renewable developer rating scheme

An independent rating scheme that ranks renewable energy developers’ community engagement performance, track record and capability, will swing into action in Australia in the first quarter of 2026, the federal energy minister has revealed, following a period of design and testing.

Chris Bowen said on Friday that his department was working with Equifax Australasia Credit Ratings to design and operate the scheme to assess large-scale renewable energy and transmission companies vying to develop projects on land across rural and regional areas. 

The minister says 60 developers have signed up to pilot the scheme and will test the business performance and community engagement assessments before it opens to further participants in March 2026. 

The Australian-first Renewable Energy Developer Rating Scheme was a key recommendation from a major review of community engagement led by former Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, Andrew Dyer.

The recommendation was then endorsed at a meeting of the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council in March of 2024.

In a statement published following the latest Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council meeting in Sydney on Friday, Bowen said that, pending the outcome of the pilot, information about developers that meet minimum assessment standards will be free and open to the public.

Bowen said that this approach, which reflected other successful schemes in other sectors, would improve transparency, strengthen accountability and ultimately support more efficient and effective consultation processes between renewable energy developers and regional communities.

Equifax will also work with local, state and territory governments, landholders, community organisations and industry bodies during design and testing, the statement says. 

“Australian farmers and regional communities deserve straight answers and high standards,” Bowen said on Friday.

“This independent rating scheme will shine a light on developer behaviour so landholders can make informed decisions and will ensure everyone lifts their game when it comes to working with communities. 

“Good operators who engage early and respectfully will be recognised – and those who don’t will be required to lift their game. That’s how we build confidence and get the right projects in the right places.

“Australia is in the middle of a renewable energy revolution and it’s crucial that we deliver more reliable renewable energy and a stable grid while working to reduce emissions in a fair way that delivers for the regions hosting this vital new infrastructure.” 

Tony Mahar, who took up the role of Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner after Dyer, says this is a key milestone in the process of “weeding out” poor energy transition practices and behaviour as soon as possible.  

“I will work closely with Equifax to ensure that the detail of the scheme delivers tangible benefits for the community about how the energy transition is progressed,” Mahar said on Friday.

“Providing a transparent and credible source of information is critical for local communities.  Whilst the scheme is voluntary at this stage, we encourage all developers to participate and would question any that chose not to.”