Imagine a renewable energy project so massive it could power entire cities, yet its very foundation is accused of trampling on the rights of Indigenous communities. This is the stark reality facing the Wulna people of Humpty Doo, near Darwin, as they grapple with what they call a 'bulldozing' approach by TotalEnergies H2, a green hydrogen giant.
The company’s ambitious Wak Wak Solar Farm, spanning 2,500 hectares, promises to be one of Australia’s largest solar projects, with a peak generation capacity six times greater than the current leader in Queensland. But here’s where it gets controversial: TotalEnergies H2 has filed a native title non-claimant application in the Federal Court, seeking to extinguish any Indigenous land claims over the proposed site. Is this a necessary step for progress, or a disregard for the deep-rooted connection of the Wulna people to their ancestral lands?
Nigel Browne, a Larrakia and Wulna man with a legal background, describes the move as unprecedented. “This application essentially asks the court to declare that no native title exists on this land,” he explains. “You don’t begin consultations by trying to erase the traditional owners’ connection to their lands and waters.” Browne, a former crown prosecutor, emphasizes that he’s never seen a company of TotalEnergies’ scale take such an aggressive legal stance.
TotalEnergies H2’s managing director, Kam Ho, acknowledges the optics are unfavorable but insists the action is procedural. He points out that the site has no listed native title claimant, leaving the company to engage through the Northern Land Council (NLC) rather than directly with Browne’s group. The NLC has pledged to mediate, aiming to resolve the dispute without the need for the non-claimant application. But is mediation enough to repair the trust already fractured by this legal maneuver?
The project, part of a larger plan to establish a green hydrogen production and export facility near Darwin, is touted as a long-term investment in the region’s future. Ho stresses that TotalEnergies H2 seeks a “social license” to operate in the Northern Territory for years to come. Yet, the company’s actions raise questions about its commitment to meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities. Can a project truly be sustainable if it risks alienating the very people whose lands it occupies?
And this is the part most people miss: the Wak Wak Solar Farm is not just about clean energy; it’s a test of how Australia balances its renewable ambitions with its obligations to Indigenous rights. The project has been referred to the NT Environment Protection Authority for assessment, and public feedback is underway. But as the debate heats up, one thing is clear: the outcome will shape not only the future of renewable energy in Australia but also the relationship between corporations and Indigenous communities.
What do you think? Is TotalEnergies H2’s approach justified, or does it undermine the principles of reconciliation and respect? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
