Australian farmers and regional landholders are set to benefit from a $500,000 government-backed initiative to expand access to independent renewable energy assessments.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has partnered with RELA Australia to develop an upgraded version of its land assessment tool, RELA Assess 2.0, empowering landowners to evaluate wind and solar potential while integrating agricultural priorities.
The enhanced platform will provide:
- Farm Planning Integration: Landholders can overlay renewable energy potential maps with agricultural operations, identifying exclusion zones and coexistence opportunities.
- Automated Assessments: Expanded data layers and algorithms deliver faster, more accurate estimates of energy generation capacity and potential income.
- Developer Negotiation Support: Transparent benchmarks for land value and project viability aim to address power imbalances in landholder-developer agreements.
The initiative responds to findings from the Dyer Community Engagement Review, which highlighted gaps in landholders’ access to credible renewable energy data.
Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen emphasised the tool’s role in ensuring “fair remuneration” for regional communities central to Australia’s net-zero ambitions.
ARENA Chief Operating Officer Chris Faris noted the project would enable landholders to “negotiate on their own terms”, particularly in rural areas where renewable projects often intersect with farming.
RELA Chief Product Officer Stuart Gourley added that the Stakeholder Reference Group — including agricultural bodies and First Nations representatives — would guide platform enhancements to balance energy and land-use priorities.
The software complements the federal government’s forthcoming Developer Rating Scheme, which aims to promote best practices in community engagement and project credibility.
Together, these measures seek to unlock an estimated $1 billion in landholder income from renewable projects by 2030.
The RELA Assess 2.0 platform is scheduled for release later in 2025, with free access for all Australian landholders.
