In The Community
In the community
We’re building stronger communities alongside cleaner energy. Understanding the lasting socio-economic impact we can create, we actively engage local suppliers and contractors while participating in regional networks. Through meaningful partnerships, transparent communication, and strategic sponsorships, we’re committed to making a real difference that extends far beyond power generation.
SolarBuddy Program
We’ve teamed up with SolarBuddy, an Australian impact organisation supporting people living in energy poverty, to deliver STEM education programs to school kids in the communities where we operate.
In May 2025, we rolled out our very first SolarBuddy ‘JuniorBuddy Program’ to Exmouth District High School’s year 5 and 6 students. The JuniorBuddy Program has been specifically designed to combine learning with practical application.
The students learn about energy poverty, renewable technologies and global citizenship before each assembling a small JuniorBuddy solar light that’s easy to use, operate, carry and charge, and which will be gifted to a student living in energy poverty.
Our team was so impressed by the students’ thoughts around renewable energy and their thoughtful compassion for children around the world who miss out on the benefit of light after dark.
Pacific Energy’s partnership with SolarBuddy is an important step in our commitment to educating young people about the importance of energy and delivering education-to-employment opportunities that will benefit the sector and Australia’s transition to a renewable energy future.
Surplus with Purpose with Foodbank
We’ve partnered with Foodbank Australia, one of the country’s most important not-for-profit food relief organisations, as a part of our commitment to having a positive impact on the people, communities, and environment where we operate.
Right now, 3.4 million Australian households are food insecure, with one in five facing food scarcity. Despite these huge challenges, Australia produces enough food to feed our population three times over. But of this, 7.6 million tonnes of food are wasted every year.
Through our partnership, we’re supporting Foodbank’s ‘Surplus with Purpose’ program, which aims to address food wastage by improving food utilisation and availability. This program focuses on rescuing surplus crops and produce from farms that, despite being edible, would be wasted due to strict sale specifications and the cost of harvesting.
Surplus with Purpose helps farmers cover the cost of labour, processing and other expenses to ensure surplus food ends up in bellies and not on the ground, and it’s an initiative we’re very proud to support.
Starlight Children’s Foundation
We’ve joined forces with the Starlight Children’s Foundation to help bring moments of joy to seriously ill children and their families across Australia.
Starlight is Australia’s broadest reaching children’s charity, running programs that are available to every community in Australia and supporting kids and young people regardless of their illness or health condition.
Pacific Energy and our people are proud to support three of Starlight’s annual fundraising events: Super Steps, Tour de Kids, and Super Swim. Our team members join in from all corners of the continent, raising money for sick kids while they get fit!
Containers for Change with EON Foundation
Pacific Energy and its people proudly support the EON Aboriginal Foundation through our Containers for Change program.
Since 2024, our people have saved thousands of bottles and cans from landfill, raising much needed funds for EON’s Thriving Communities Program, which Pacific Energy then matches dollar for dollar.
Thriving Communities helps remote Aboriginal communities establish edible gardens to improve food security, health, and well-being, and deliver education around good health and nutrition.
The program enhances the health and prosperity of Aboriginal communities through gardening and nutrition programs. It currently reaches 24 communities in Western Australia and the Northern Territory and has achieved a 60% Aboriginal employment rate. EON Project Managers visit communities fortnightly for a minimum of five years, building trust and strong relationships.
The program includes:
- EON edible gardens: Establishing large fruit, vegetable and bush tucker gardens in schools to teach children and the community how to grow and harvest fresh produce. The garden becomes a source of freely available healthy food and an engaging outdoor classroom for the children.
- EON healthy eating: Teaching children and families about the nutritional value of fruit and veges, how to cook healthy food, and the importance of balanced nutrition for good health, all using produce from the garden.
- EON education and training: Developing horticulture and nutrition skills in schools and communities, and building local capacity to maintain gardens and sustain outcomes.
Strelley Community School Solar & Battery System
In partnership with Pilbara Minerals, we delivered a solar and battery storage system to Strelley Community School in 2023 – supporting the Pilbara community’s shift toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
This renewable energy system significantly reduces reliance on diesel generators. During daylight hours, the community runs entirely on solar energy, with battery storage supplying power through the night. This transition not only cuts emissions but also reduces ongoing maintenance requirements for ageing generators.
The system is expected to offset more than 170 litres of diesel per day. These savings are reinvested by the community into their Two-way Science and On-Country Learning curriculum – supporting local education and cultural connection.
We worked closely with the school’s leadership to tailor the system to local needs. To mark the collaboration, students contributed original artwork for the battery enclosure – bringing cultural pride and creativity to what is now our most striking BESS installation to date!