Building Agency through Energy: The Future of First Nations Power Ownership with AMPERES

We recently sat down with Jared Stone, Community Microgrids Program Manager at Amboranj Power, and Tarek Ketelsen, Technical Lead at AMPERES, to discuss their journey with Gridcog and the incredible work they are doing to support First Nations people in Australia. 

AMPERES, part of the Alluvium Group, is an engineering and consulting firm focused on sustainable water and energy management, and Amboranj Power, is a majority Indigenous-owned business dedicated to empowering remote communities to own, operate, and maintain their own clean energy systems. Both recognise the unique challenges First Nations communities in Western Australia face in the transition to renewable energy.

Despite the rapid expansion of renewable technologies, these communities often lack the necessary infrastructure, investment, and control to fully benefit from the transition. With aging diesel power stations nearing the end of their operational lives, Amboranj Power is committed to developing solutions that provide these communities with direct ownership and agency over their energy futures.

A Vision for Community-Owned Power

AMPERES and Amboranj Power had a vision. They envisioned a model where these communities didn’t just host renewable energy projects but owned them outright. By developing solar farms and battery storage systems that were entirely community-owned, they could ensure long-term benefits and self-sufficiency. But such an ambitious vision required careful planning, rigorous economic analysis, and a compelling case for funding.

Leading the strategic vision was Tarek, who worked closely with communities to develop solutions that balanced economic, technical, and social considerations. "Energy isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about who has control," Tarek explained. "For too long, First Nations communities have been at the mercy of external providers. Our goal is to change that by putting the power—literally and figuratively—back in their hands."

Gridcog played a crucial role in this effort. "Excel spreadsheets and back-of-the-envelope calculations only take you so far," Jared noted. "We needed robust, yet quick-to-construct and easy-to-refine modelling. The breadth of scenarios modelled and resulting depth of detail we needed to convey to government agencies, funding bodies, and other financial entities even at a conceptual level was something we could deliver on with confidence for the Community working with Gridcog."

Addressing the Real Needs of First Nations Communities

First Nations communities in Western Australia have historically faced systemic barriers to infrastructure ownership. Many have endured unreliable power supplies, high energy costs, and little say in the systems that serve them. The reliance on diesel generators has also brought environmental and health concerns, with emissions impacting air quality and rising fuel costs straining community budgets.

Amboranj Power’s approach was not just about installing new technology but about giving these communities true agency over their energy supply. Through extensive consultations, the team ensured that solutions were tailored to each community’s specific needs, rather than imposing one-size-fits-all infrastructure.

"The current system doesn’t reflect what communities actually want," Tarek said. "We know from the Close-the-Gap process that a lack of community involvement in the provision of essential services is one of the main reasons progress on closing the gap has been so poor”

“Communities want clean power in their hands so that they benefit economically from power supply, and to ensure that power services are aligned with their values as stewards to protect the country".

One such community, Djarindjin, located on the tip of the Dampier Peninsula in far Northwest Kimberleys, had already taken significant steps toward securing their energy independence. With the support of Amboranj Power, Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation’s biggest milestone to date is successfully securing $5 million in funding from JTSI for the Lower Carbon Grants Program.

Nathan McIvor, CEO of DAC, said: "Djarindjin made a mindset shift a decade ago and decided to run their organisation like a business instead of a welfare organisation. Ownership of all decisions was the step that needed to be made for success to eventuate. Ownership of business is the Djarindjin Way. They recognised that to be good stewards of culture and country, innovative solutions were essential to progress their community. The community purchased solar street lights and placed them around the community in dark spots. This was the first step towards realising that ownership of a solar farm could be a reality. 

It's not been an easy road for the community but partnerships with Amperes and Amboranj have given the community the push to realise their desire to be self-sustaining."

Moving Toward Implementation

The next steps involve refining these models, finalising investment, and moving toward construction. With a hard deadline of 2027 to transition away from diesel, the stakes are high. But with each step forward, the blueprint for community-owned renewable energy becomes clearer.

"This isn’t just about a single project—it’s about proving an entirely new model that can be replicated nationwide," Stone emphasised. 

"Gridcog’s ability to model different financial and operational scenarios means we can adjust as needed and keep the communities at the centre of the decision-making process."

For AMPERES and Amboranj Power, this journey has never been just about energy. It’s about agency, equity, and ensuring that First Nations communities are not just participants in the renewable revolution, but leaders in shaping its future.

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