The way we power our lives is changing faster than ever. Around the world, renewable energy and energy storage projects are being built to replace fossil fuel generators to meet rising electricity demand.

But building this new infrastructure is not just about technology and investment, it is also about gaining trust. As more large-scale battery projects are planned, the need for community acceptance is growing.

Topics such as changing land use, visual impact, or battery safety are genuine concerns and governments and regulators increasingly want to see how developers are taking these concerns seriously and actively listen and respond to the local community. For developers and long-term operators like Eku Energy, community acceptance is not an afterthought. It is the foundation on which we are building a clean energy future.

Why does community acceptance matter

Community acceptance is the support local communities give to projects happening in their area. Unlike formal planning approvals, it is about how residents feel and whether they believe a project respects their community and delivers real local benefits.

Large renewable and storage projects often sit on farmland or unused land close to electrical substations. While some renewable projects may occupy a large footprint, others, such as energy storage, may only occupy a footprint of between 4 – 8 hectares. It is natural for people to have questions about if or how these projects will affect their lives, whether it is fire safety and noise, environmental concerns or changes to the landscape.

Introducing ourselves early, having conversations, informing local communities and acknowledging their questions are some of the important steps that Eku Energy takes to ensure communities are consulted with and engaged about our projects.

Generally, proposed large-scale renewable energy projects undergo detailed Environmental Impact Studies. Each of these studies and assessments are used to help inform the project developer and communities about design considerations, potential impacts and preventative mitigation measures. This process supports communities to enhance understanding of the nature or extent of any impacts, while enabling regulators or authorities to make detailed assessments and conditions of consent that must be complied with for each project.

Listening and investing in local communities

For Eku Energy, establishing community acceptance is about transparency and partnership. It is not a one-off consultation; instead, it is an ongoing relationship built on trust and respect. We operate across the entire lifecycle from origination and development through to construction and the ongoing management of our projects with an expected operational life of 20+ years. We therefore develop our projects for the long-term and are deeply committed to delivering safe, secure and reliable energy storage solutions to the local communities that provide cost-effective clean energy.

We approach this by:

1. Starting early: Engaging with communities before a development application is proposed to be able to understand and respond to community inquiries.

2. Listening and responding: Creating and maintaining feedback loops through our website, meetings and community events so questions can be raised and addressed quickly and openly.

3. Independent assessments: Commissioning expert environmental and social impact studies to undertake rigorous assessment of risks and opportunities.

4. Benefits sharing: Through our Powering Big Dreams initiative, we partner with communities to fund and support education and employment programs, social connectedness and environmental initiatives that create lasting benefits.

Our projects prioritise the hiring of local workers, apprentices and under-represented groups that will support our project delivery. Where possible, Eku Energy works with First Nations businesses for our construction supply chain ensuring we are creating local jobs and upskilling local workforces.

Building projects together with local communities

The clean energy transition can only succeed if local communities are part of it. Every project is hosted by people with their own history, values, and priorities in mind.

At Eku Energy, we aim to be more than just a developer and operator. We want to be a partner by listening, shaping projects together with communities, and delivering benefits that last well beyond construction. When this is done in collaboration, community acceptance can accelerate the clean energy transition and build the trust that is needed for a better future.