The Climate Change Authority has released this report on its review of the National Wind Farm Commissioner. At the time the National Wind Farm Commissioner was established, the federal government said it would review the role in 2018. This review responds to that undertaking.

This report aims to provide a ‘snapshot’ of current community engagement and benefit sharing practices in Australian wind farms. It provides an evidence base and recommendations for improving social outcomes from wind development for communities, regulators and developers.

This report provides an introduction to community-owned renewable energy. It includes Australian and international examples to show that this is a growing and important sector.

The AEMC predicts national residential electricity prices will fall on average over the next two years from mid 2018, as more variable wind and solar generation comes online - offsetting this year’s price increase.

This report outlines the benefits of community energy projects, how their uptake can be encouraged, whether they can be expanded beyond solar and wind power and how challenges specific to metropolitan projects can be overcome.