YINDJIBARNDI ENERGY CORPORATION SECURES DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL FOR JINBI SOLAR FARM
BY ASAD KHAN
The Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) has received approval from the City of Karratha’s Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) for its Project Jinbi solar farm, located on Yindjibarndi Ngurra (country) in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
This marks a significant milestone for YEC, as it is the first renewable energy project to receive development approval.
Although the project is still subject to further internal, external, and regulatory approvals, the JDAP decision is a crucial step forward for the initiative, which plans to deliver 75MWac of solar power with potential for expansion to 150MWac.
Craig Ricato, CEO of Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation, expressed his excitement over the approval.
“We are thrilled to receive this approval for Project Jinbi, which brings us one step closer to realising our vision for a First Nations-led, greener future in the region,”
“As one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives, YEC is proud to be developing large-scale renewable energy projects to decarbonise Pilbara mining and industrial companies.” he said.
Michael Woodley, CEO of the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, highlighted the role of the local community in conducting heritage and environmental surveys for the project.
“This project represents not only a step towards an environmentally sustainable future but also the empowerment and economic development of the Yindjibarndi community,” Mr Woodley said.
“Through our partnership with the ACEN Corporation, we are demonstrating the vital role Indigenous leadership can play in driving innovative renewable energy solutions that benefit both communities and industry.”
The first phase of the Jinbi project will involve the installation of 160,000 solar panels, generating enough electricity to power 40,000 Australian homes annually.
The development approval will allow the project to proceed with detailed planning, commercial agreements, and construction preparations.
Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, with the solar farm anticipated to be operational by the second half of 2027, pending further approvals and conditions.
Once fully operational, Jinbi is planned to connect directly to existing Rio Tinto transmission infrastructure to supply electricity to the company’s operations.
Project Jinbi is part of a broader strategy by YEC to develop over 1GW of renewable energy capacity, including wind and solar, across three major projects.
YEC, a partnership between the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation and ACEN Corporation, is on track to develop up to 3GW of renewable energy projects within the Yindjibarndi Native Title Determination Areas.
Through its pioneering initiatives, Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation is paving the way for Indigenous-led renewable energy solutions, driving sustainable development and empowering local communities in the process.
Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Lead Journalist speak with YEC CEO Craig Ricato: