Yamatji Land Estate identified as premier location for clean energy development
A new report has identified the Yamatji Land Estate in Western Australia’s Mid-West as a prime location for clean energy development, boasting some of the country’s most powerful wind and solar resources.
The "Rapid Assessment Summary Report" - a partnership between Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation (YSRC) and The Australian National University (ANU) - marks a significant first step in a plan that could bring long-term economic benefits and employment opportunities for the Yamatji Nation. The project also received support from the Western Australian Government Mid-West Development Commission and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The findings provide a clear pathway for the Yamatji Nation to leverage the Yamatji Land Estate for economic empowerment and self-determination, with plans to establish sustainable businesses and jobs driven by and for the Yamatji community.
"This is a huge opportunity for our people," said Luka Gray, YSRC CEO.
"We can create a sustainable future with new businesses and local jobs, ensuring the Yamatji Nation benefits directly from the clean energy transition."
Vice-President (First Nations) at ANU, Professor Peter Yu, added: "This project shows what's possible when First Nations knowledge and academic research come together.”
“It’s a practical demonstration of what self-determination looks like when communities have access to high-quality data, deep technical partnerships, and a vision for long-term economic transformation. The Yamatji Nation is in a position to lead, creating a model for the rest of the country."
The report highlights the estate's strong competitive advantage, noting that its solar energy quality is 6 per cent higher than in Perth and its wind energy capacity is 33 per cent stronger than that of existing Australian wind farms. With these promising findings, YSRC will now engage with government and industry partners to determine the next steps toward unlocking the full potential of this clean energy opportunity.
The full Rapid Assessment Summary Report is available here: https://www.ysrc.com.au/documents
