“We’re not taking on the big guys:” Australia’s first indigenous energy retailer opens its doors

Australia’s first First Nations-owned retail energy provider began operating in Victoria last week, having secured the contract to power the state’s largest road project with 100 per cent renewable power during construction.

Yurringa Energy is the country’s first Indigenous-owned retail energy company, with a commitment to provide sustainable energy retail solutions across Australia while honouring Indigenous values, culture, and traditions.

Yurringa Energy celebrated an official launch in August and has now started operations.

“Yurringa will transform the energy market while staying true to the Indigenous environmental principals of country,” said Daniel Briggs, Yurringa Group managing director.

“As Australia’s first Indigenous energy retailer we are ready to partner with the top end of town. We are not taking on the big guys, we want to walk together to create economic benefits to the Indigenous community while delivering cost effective and sustainable energy solutions.” 

Backed by support from Victoria’s Labor government, Yurringa Energy will operate as an energy retail business offering supply of energy to commercial and industrial markets.

Yurringa Energy also secured in August the contract through a competitive tendering process to provide renewable energy for the construction of the North East Link tunnels.

As part of the contract, Yurringa Energy partnered with Alinta Energy to ensure a reliable source of renewable electricity.

It is expected that Yurringa Energy will deliver 137.5 GWh of renewable electricity – the equivalent of more than 91,000 solar panels producing power over a year – to power site compounds and the massive tunnel boring machines which will dig 6.5-kilometre-long road tunnels.

“We’re investing in First Nations-owned businesses and backing startups like Yurringa Energy to create new and meaningful employment opportunities for First Nation Victorians – especially in growing sectors like renewables,” said Vicki Ward, Victorian minister for employment.

“This will improve economic opportunities for First Nations people as well as the wider community.”

The announcement came at the same time as the Victorian government committed a further $5.4 million to its Greener Government School Buildings program which supports the installation of solar panels at schools around the state.

Designed to help schools reduce their energy bills and lower their emissions, the $20 million program has already gone through three rounds to help 404 schools install solar panels.

“Schools need to use significant amounts of electricity to power students’ learning,” said Ben Carroll, Victoria’s minister for education.

“That’s why we’re investing in them becoming more energy efficient, sustainable and climate resilient, while reducing running costs.”

“As well as saving money on their power bills now, participating schools will be helping the students of tomorrow by contributing to reaching our goal of net zero emissions by 2045.”