Diversifying farm income: integrating renewable energy into agriculture

Project lead: Farmanco

Project overview

An overview study is crucial to strategise Green Energy (GE) projects in regional communities effectively.

The project team will conduct a comprehensive desktop analysis focused on exploring the integration of renewable energy projects within the agricultural sector in WA. The primary objective is to identify opportunities where GE and renewable energy initiatives can enhance and complement existing agricultural businesses, ultimately contributing to the bolstering of business resilience in the region.

This project focuses on analysing renewable energy integration in WA’s agricultural sector, exploring emerging land uses like energy farms and off-farm enterprises, and how they may provide a diversified income for growers and regional communities. Through close engagement with major stakeholders, the project aims to understand the community opposition and opportunities in relation to agricultural enterprises engaging in renewable energy projects.

This project can empower local communities and growers by providing knowledge to enhance informed decision making. Current perception is that GE projects are driven by external businesses rather than local businesses proactively seeking renewable energy as a positive addition to existing resources. This approach would ensure consideration of local impact, growth opportunities in regional towns and provision of a diversified farmland income in a variable and changing climate.

Expected outcomes

This research aims to provide valuable insights to industry and arm growers and regional communities with information to integrate renewable energy generation successfully and sustainably into WA farming systems and regional economies.

The primary outcome is for growers to proactively assess and leverage renewable energy opportunities, ultimately fostering economic growth and sustainability in the area.

This project comprises three key phases.

• In the initial research and assessment stage, the team will conduct a comprehensive literature review to understand existing research and develop local case studies on the integration of renewable energy projects in agricultural settings. Stakeholder engagement with local communities, agricultural businesses, and experts will be a priority. This activity aims to gather insights, share learnings and identify current information gaps.
• The second phase will focus on sustainability analysis, involving an economic assessment to evaluate the viability of integrating renewable energy projects into agricultural businesses, alongside analysing social impacts and environmental resilience.
• Finally, the project team will develop a comprehensive report detailing outcomes and recommendations for future research, development and extension programs.

This project is supported by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.