Community
Built on a foundation of trust and shared value, we seek to develop relationships with communities that create enduring and positive impact. Here are some of the things we are doing at New England Solar.
- $200k already invested through Uralla Grants to community groups, businesses and organisations through the stewardship of a Community Reference Group
- $7m in community funding to come through ACEN Australia’s Social Investment Program (SIP).
- Stage 1 built using 80% regional workforce
- Solar panel rows and heights allows for grazing to co-exist
- 1.5% of project value commitment to First Nations participation being delivered through contracting, employment, training and business innovation
- 20% of project working hours commitment to Learning Worker participation to be delivered through traineeships and apprenticeships
- 39% of project value target local content for construction materials from Australia or New Zealand
- Addressing housing affordability and availability through an adaptive management plan for worker accommodation
- Commitment to prioritise the participation of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to deliver goods and services
- Commitment to product stewardship through environmental and social procurement that encourage circular economy outcomes
- Commitment to responsibly decommission all project infrastructure at the end of project life
Social Investment Program
Applications are now open for Round 1 of our 2025 Social Investment Program community grants, sponsorships and donations.
Round 1 applications close on 21 March. Round 2 is scheduled to open in June.
Thank you to all the groups that submitted applications in 2025. A total of approximately $150,000 was provided during the two rounds last year, assisting 27 not-for-profit organisations that directly benefit the Uralla community.
Further information about our SIP is available by clicking on the SIP Guidelines button below.
See which organisations benefitted from our 2024 SIP in Round 1 and Round 2.
ACEN Australia’s Social Investment Program (SIP) provides grants and sponsorships for eligible individuals and organisations that are contributing to building thriving and resilient communities in Uralla Shire and surrounds. Further detail on who is eligible is available in the SIP guidelines link below.
A total of $150,000 in grants, sponsorships and donations is being provided through the New England Solar Social Investment in 2024, divided evenly between two rounds of funding spaced six months apart.
We are continuing our support of the New England region, with more than $7M to be invested. It is our voluntary contribution to help build and maintain thriving and resilient communities.
The ACEN Australia New England Social Investment Program (SIP) funding is allocated for the next 25+ years. Initial funding for three years will be administered via two streams, and reviewed thereafter.
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Community Reference Group 2024
Our Community Reference Group (CRG) assesses grant applications for Stream 1 of the New England Solar Social Investment Program, bringing transparency and local insight to the assessment process.
Expressions of Interest are now open for people interested in joining the CRG in 2025. A majority of members on the 2024 panel are taking the option to be part of the CRG for a second year in 2025. We are seeking expressions of interest to fill the remaining places.
The selection process for our CRG is focused on establishing a panel that represents Uralla Shire and surrounds as broadly as possible – geographically, demographically and in the range of experience and interests.
Expressions of interest close 14 February 2025.
Meet our 2024 CRG members.
Find out more about the valuable contribution the CRG has played in assessing grant applications since 2021, and the role of the new panel in 2024.
Learn how the Uralla Grants program has been helping the community
First Nations participation
New England Solar is being built with the support of the Anaiwan First Nations people who have been a part of the project since it began. Just as the Anaiwan people have been doing for thousands of years, today ACEN seeks to harness the sun’s resources using new technologies, providing meaningful opportunities for First Nations to participate in, and share in the benefits that Australia’s growing renewable energy industry offers.
What started in 2018 as a process to support the NSW Government Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment requirements, a partnership between ACEN Australia and the project’s Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) has evolved. It represents a shared respect for a long term relationship that extends beyond the immediate need for protection of country, and towards a partnership that fosters building cultural knowledge while providing meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal groups to economically participate in the project, creating benefits for generations to come.
Worker accommodation
The expected peak construction workforce for New England Solar Stage 2 is 400 and we have a workforce accommodation strategy with the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) to limit the impact on regional housing availability and affordability.
ACEN Australia seeks to reduce the impact on short term stay accommodation in the New England region as part of the construction of New England Solar. If you have a property available for rent, we would be be interested in hearing from you. Please register your details and they will be provided to our contracting partners.
Jobs and business
We have a commitment to employ and buy locally where we can so we can keep the benefits local. With such a significant construction investment, it is anticipated that there will be many opportunities for regional businesses to be involved. Goods and services likely to be procured locally include:
We use an EPC contracting model to construct our projects. To register your interest in employment or to supply goods and services for the construction of New England Solar, please provide your details for forwarding to our EPC contracting partners.
