We are developing a First Nations Strategy, which will set our long-term vision for reconciliation and the advancement of First Nations peoples. This Strategy will aim to benefit our First Nations workforce and communities by fostering a deeper understanding of their challenges and opportunities and emphasising our connection to culture and place. It will guide us in preparing our second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and setting measurable, specific actions and goals.

During the year, we contributed to advancing reconciliation by providing career and business opportunities for First Nations people, building cultural awareness, and engaging with First Nations communities and organisations.

We recruited a First Nations Engagement Manager and formed a First Nations Engagement Team to drive the development and implementation of Essential Energy’s First Nations Strategy and provide advice and guidance to teams and key stakeholders in their interactions with First Nations communities across the Essential Energy footprint.

Eleven First Nations apprentices and field-based trainees joined our business in early 2025. We expanded the number and scope of First Nations Identified roles to include the recruitment of up to 10% of Early Talent Pathways roles as First Nations Identified, as well as the inclusion of non-field-based trainee roles. Consequently, eight business services trainees joined the organisation in early 2025, with new guidelines developed to support their retention following the 12‑month traineeship.

Every First Nations apprentice and trainee receives culturally appropriate mentoring through the Barranggirra Mentoring Program. We also introduced a senior specialist role for the apprentice program to further support First Nations and female apprentices and trainees.

Through our First Nations Scholarships Program, we supported three undergraduate university students throughout the year and awarded scholarships to two new students in early 2025. The new scholarships were presented to the students in Port Macquarie and Bathurst by members of our First Nations Reference Group.

To foster First Nations business leaders, three First Nations employees attended the Indigenous Leadership Summit in November 2024.

We support education, employment and advancement opportunities for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women, through our partnerships with the Clontarf Foundation, Stars Foundation, On-Country Pathways, and Deadly Science.

Essential Energy participated in the First Nations Employment Index for the second time. Conducted by Murawin, the Social Research Centre and the National Indigenous Employment and Training Alliance, the Index gathers insights into the employment trends, challenges, opportunities and experiences of First Nations employees across the Australian workforce, which inform our employment experience. Essential Energy’s leadership engagement, Reconciliation Action Plan and support structures such as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) were recognised as strong foundations for inclusivity and accountability, with opportunities for further cultural learning systems, training and engagement evaluation.

Essential Energy procured $4.42 million worth of goods and services from registered First Nations Suppliers during 2024–25. This exceeded our target of $4 million. Expenditure was primarily in the construction, information technology and education and training categories.

Providing business opportunities to First Nations enterprises has an impact that extends beyond each business. The social return on our First Nations procurement is estimated to be $16.17 million, with each dollar spent resulting in a $3.66 social and economic return¹.

Procuring from First Nations suppliers delivers significant social impacts and benefits, both for First Nations communities and the broader economy. Social impacts refer to the positive changes in communities that result from economic activity, such as:

• increased employment and income
• improved community wellbeing and cohesion
• cultural recognition and empowerment
• intergenerational benefits through education, training, and business development.

There are 38 First Nations Suppliers registered with Essential Energy at 30 June 2025 and we periodically review their credentials using external business registries and verifications. We are working to grow our registered supplier base and support our employees in identifying suitable First Nations Suppliers for their requirements. Essential Energy is a member of Supply Nation, a leading verification body that helps connect First Nations businesses with procurement teams. We engage with Supply Nation Certified and Registered First Nations businesses by promoting tenders, quotes and expressions of interest through their platform. We also attend Supply Nation events, including the annual Connect conference and tradeshows to identify potential suppliers for future opportunities.

In accordance with NSW Government Aboriginal Procurement Policy, Essential Energy employees can negotiate directly with First Nations owned companies for requirements valued up to $250,000 rather than completing a sourcing process².

During the year, we celebrated NAIDOC Week with our local communities, honouring culture and strengthening relationships with First Nations communities, partners and customers. Employees participated in events in Wauchope, Nyngan, Bourke, Tamworth and Bathurst.

We prioritise cultural education within our workforce. Our First Nations Engagement team presented to several internal teams to raise awareness about the importance of First Nations community engagement. Senior Leaders completed Acknowledgement of Country training, building skills to provide Acknowledgements that are authentic and meaningful. A recording of the session was shared with operations leaders and is available for all employees.

We co-designed the name of our new Guyingbang Conference Centre in Port Macquarie with the Gathangga Wakulda Aboriginal Corporation, creating the Centre’s name and Acknowledgement of Country together.

Guyingbang means ‘place of many birds’ in Gathang language, and recognises the Centre’s role in bringing people together from all over to connect and share.

Our engagement approach focuses on building meaningful, long-term relationships with First Nations communities to provide opportunities to participate in and benefit from the energy transition. We do this through project-specific and broader activities, including:

• developing Industry and Aboriginal Participation Plans
• local community engagement about the pole-mounted battery trial in partnership with Origin Energy
• collaborating with Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council to survey a significant tree at risk of falling, to ensure the safety of our assets and protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage
• supporting events that assist communities facing energy-related challenges, including Energy and Water Ombudsman ‘Bring Your Bills’ Days
• participating in First Nations focused forums such as the PowerMakers Workshop, where First Nations leaders discussed participation opportunities in the energy transition.

Our First Nations Reference Group meets monthly to develop, share and endorse initiatives.