Regional women in NSW flock to clean energy training program
1 October 2026 Community Power Agency has welcomed an overwhelming response to its Women in Clean Energy Engagement (WiCEE) program, with nearly 70 Expressions of Interest received from regional women across NSW in August. Applications came from regional areas across all of NSW’s Renewable Energy Zones, with some new to renewable energy or community engagement, […]
NSW funding boosts support for community-led solar farms
30 September 2026 Community Power Agency’s Community Energy Incubator project has been boosted with funding from the NSW Community Energy Activation Program (CEAP). Community Power Agency is one of twelve community and not-for-profit energy organisations that will share $4.7M from the CEAP, which aims to support community organisations to expand the critical support they provide. […]
What is social value?
24 August 2026 As regional communities find themselves at the centre of Australia’s rapid shift to renewable energy, a recent CPA discussion paper argues that the sector must move beyond simply seeking community acceptance to operate, and focus instead on delivering measurable improvements to community well-being. Titled From Social Licence to Social Value in the […]
CEFC’s DCAP could deliver much more than electricity
5 August 2026 (PDF) Community Power Agency has welcomed the Clean Energy Finance Corporation’s announcement yesterday for $100M in funding, targeting Australia’s ‘missing middle’ in the energy transition, for mid-scale renewable energy assets. Delivered through the Distribution Connected Accelerator Program (DCAP) with infrastructure debt manager Infradebt, it aims to support a pipeline of up to […]
Nationally consistent approach to benefit sharing is welcome but communities still need a say to build trust
30 July 2026 (PDF) Community Power Agency welcomes the leadership shown by Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Jackie Trad, at the Australian Clean Energy Summit this week acknowledging “The fundamental problem the [renewable energy] industry has is trust.” But, building genuine trust and social licence for the energy shift across regional Australia requires much more […]
From consultation to co-ownership: how communities can share in Australia’s clean energy boom
10 March 2026, for immediate release Australia’s shift to clean energy is reshaping the country’s landscape, yet communities hosting renewable projects are often consulted rather than brought in as genuine partners. Community Power Agency today released Power in Partnership: A guide to developing a community stake in renewable energy, a new resource designed to help […]
WA renewable energy guidelines strengthen community role in benefit sharing
The Western Australian Government yesterday released its Community Benefits Guidelines for Large-scale Renewable Energy Projects in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), setting out a framework for how renewable energy projects should share benefits with host communities. Community Power Agency welcomed the guidelines, which place regional communities at the centre of decision-making about how renewable […]
New handbook helps regional communities shape their energy future
As regional communities again find themselves at the centre of debates over Australia’s net-zero future, a new handbook launched today will help them play a more active role in shaping how renewable energy projects are developed in their region. The handbook includes case studies and tools that build on best practice from other communities at […]
New pilot launched to unlock mid-scale community solar
Community Power Agency has today launched the Community Energy Incubator – a mentorship and investment program designed to help community groups lead the development of their own mid-scale solar and battery projects. The Incubator will support local organisations to plan and deliver community-led projects on the distribution network, offering mentorship, capacity building and starter funding […]
Beyond the footy jersey fund: how to maximise community benefits from renewables
As renewable energy projects continue to roll out across regional Australia, a new guide released today urges regional community groups, councils and industry to think bigger to maximise the benefits from the renewable boom. “We only need to paint the town hall so many times,” said Kim Mallee, Director of Community Power Agency. “Energy projects […]