Australia’s renewable energy transition is moving at pace – but the data is clear, the defining challenge ahead is social.
Recently we funded research to better understand community sentiment over time. The first wave covered a representation of the Australian general population and regional samples across NSW and Victoria.
It highlights a sector that is broadly supported, but not yet trusted.
At a national level, the foundations are strong. Sixty-one per cent of Australians believe climate change is happening and caused by human activity, and nearly two-thirds support Australia doing more to address it.
There is also clear recognition of the role renewables must play.
Most Australians support major forms of renewable infrastructure including solar (72%) and wind (66%), and 88% can identify at least one benefit, from reducing emissions to creating new industries.
But the picture changes when projects move from concept to community.
We already know that fewer people are comfortable with infrastructure in their own area, and around one in four express concerns about local developments. Those concerns are not irrational – they are grounded in real and practical issues, from impacts on agricultural land and biodiversity, to questions about reliability and long-term outcomes.
One of our Project Managers recently wrote an opinion piece she shared with our organisation. It was about keeping perspective and the ‘trade-off’ of the transition. It’s never going to be perfect, it will take sacrifice, but the end goal is worth it. Change is hard, it brings uncertainty, especially for our communities, when so much happening in the world is already uncertain. We need positive voices on the ground who know it’s going to be worth it.
The research uncovered a clear set of expectations emerging from communities.
First, trust matters. More than 80% of Australians agree that community trust is essential for the success of the energy transition. But fewer than half feel they currently have meaningful opportunities to provide feedback.
That gap – between expectation and experience – is where trust is either built or lost.
Second, communities are asking for clarity over volume. The top priorities are consistent across regions: clear information about project timelines and impacts, increased transparency in decision-making, and timely responses to concerns.
The real take-away here is about the importance of presence. Being physically present in a community and showing up in person shows care and builds trust.
This isn’t rocket science, it’s about being human.
Third, benefits must be visible and shared. While around half of regional respondents agree that renewables deliver job creation and economic growth, many have yet to see those benefits materialise in their own communities. In fact, only around 44-51% believe regional communities are receiving a fair share of the benefits.
Squadron has invested $6.3million in communities across the Central West region alone. We’ve now launched a campaign to ensure the community knows the impact and legacy of our investment. The learning here isn’t that people from regional areas aren’t happy and accepting. It’s that as an industry we have a shared ambition, and so we need a shared narrative.
We will never completely obliterate misinformation, we will never reach every single person, but we can focus our energy on building a strong following of passionate supporters, ambassadors and beneficiaries who want to be part of the transition.
Two-thirds agree that regional Australians are bearing the brunt of renewable infrastructure. This matters, because it’s true. Without a foundation built on fairness, no one is going to want to join the race.
Taken together, these insights reinforce a simple but important point: facts alone aren’t enough. Engagement in isolation isn’t enough. What cuts through is trust – and trust is built when people see genuine care reflected in actions.
That starts with how we show up. Early, consistently, and with humility. Listening as much as we speak. Being honest about impacts, trade-offs and timelines. And ensuring communities are not just consulted, but meaningfully involved.
Local jobs remain the most anticipated benefit across every region. But beyond employment, communities are looking for sustained investment – in skills, infrastructure and opportunities that endure well beyond the life of a project.
Our rural and regional communities are no doubt the the strongest and most resilient in Australia. They’re built on deep connections, foster stronger relationships, rely on each other in ways people who have only ever lived in cities will never truly understand, work together to solve local challenges, and maintain strong community identity.
Rural and regional communities adapt and endure – whether it’s economic shifts, disasters, or changing industries. Regional areas play a vital role in Australia’s economy, finding new ways to grow and diversify.
Social acceptance is at the core of every challenge the future of energy is facing.
Importantly, this is not a challenge any one organisation can solve alone.
As an industry we share a common ambition: an energy sector that communities trust, support and where all Australians experience the benefits. Rebuilding and strengthening that trust in an environment of misinformation and competing narratives requires consistency.
This is where collaboration becomes critical.
When we align on higher standards, share lessons openly, and demonstrate real, tangible benefits, we move faster and further, not just in delivering projects, but in strengthening the social acceptance that underpins them.
The renewable energy transition rests on reliability, affordability, sustainability and community acceptance. The first three are well understood – the fourth will determine how quickly we can go.
Dan Newlan
Executive General Manager, Corporate Relations and Community
Squadron Energy