Queensland farmers negotiating with renewable energy companies have a new tool to help sort the good operators from the rest.

The Australian Government’s new Developer Rating Scheme (DRS) is now live, offering independent ratings of companies building wind, solar, battery and transmission projects. 

Operating like a credit score, but for energy developers, companies can choose to be assessed and, if they pass, they’ll receive a star rating and be listed on a free public register farmers and communities can check. 

The aim is to bring more transparency to a space where landholders have often had to rely on word of mouth. The ratings look at things that matter on the ground like how well a company engages with landholders, whether it’s financially stable, and if it has a track record of delivering projects properly. 

This matters considerably for people who are thinking about hosting energy infrastructure as it is a long-term partnership that can run for decades. The scheme is designed to give communities confidence that a developer can follow through and treat landholders fairly.

Importantly, participation is voluntary. Developers that opt out or fail to meet the standard won’t be listed, which may raise questions for landholders weighing up a deal.

To search the register, click here.