This designation was formally conferred by the Premier of Western Australia and Minister for State and Industry Development, the Hon Roger Cook MLA, acknowledging Baru Marnda as a project of strategic importance to Western Australia’s energy transition and economic diversification goals.
The Lead Agency Framework prioritises projects that deliver significant economic, regional, and social benefits, support government priorities including renewable energy and decarbonisation and require coordination across multiple agencies. Strategic Project Status ensures these projects receive enhanced facilitation and streamlined regulatory processes, enabling timely development and delivery.
Project Baru Marnda, located in the northwest of Yindjibarndi Ngurra (Country), is a large-scale renewable energy development comprising up to 1 GW of wind and solar generation, with the option to include battery energy storage system (BESS). This project will play a critical role in decarbonising Pilbara mining and industrial operations while creating new opportunities for regional development.
“This recognition underscores the significance of Baru Marnda to Western Australia’s clean energy future and the Pilbara’s transition to low-carbon industry,” said Craig Ricato, CEO of YEC. “As one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives, YEC is proud to lead projects that deliver real benefits for traditional owners and the state.”
This latest recognition reinforces YEC’s position as a key driver of Western Australia’s clean energy transition. The Strategic Project Status for Project Baru Marnda adds to a series of significant government designations previously awarded to YEC projects, highlighting its critical role in delivering large-scale renewable energy and decarbonisation initiatives for the Pilbara and the State, including:
- Priority status for the Chichester Range Transmission Corridor as one of four strategic transmission corridors in the Pilbara
- Inclusion on the National Renewable Energy Priority List (NREPL) for both Project Baru Marnda and the Chichester Range Transmission Corridor, unlocking enhanced regulatory support at a federal level
- Lead agency project advice and support for Project Jinbi
Together, these recognitions demonstrate YEC’s leadership in advancing a First Nations-led, greener future for Western Australia.
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