RELA has launched Assess 2.0, a free, independent platform designed to help landowners understand the renewable energy potential of their land and plan how it fits with existing farming operations.
Backed by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), and launched at Parliament House in Canberra, Assess 2.0 marks a step forward in how landowners engage with renewable energy. It brings together land suitability insights, commercial context and practical planning tools into a single, accessible platform.
At its core, Assess 2.0 is about improving decision-making at the earliest stage. It gives landowners a clearer view of what may be possible on their land, what constraints exist and how a project could coexist with agricultural production.
National Farmers Federation president Hamish McIntyre welcomed the opportunity for landholders to take more control of their options as renewables projects spread.
“Land use competition is a key concern for farmers. It’s only fair and right they receive proper consultation and choice, to better understand project proposals that impact their land and livelihoods,” he said.
“Tools like the RELA product are important for farmers to help them make decisions.”
From potential to practical planning
A key feature of Assess 2.0 is the introduction of RELA’s new Landplan Builder.
Rather than treating renewable energy as a standalone opportunity, the Landplan Builder allows landowners to map what matters on their property first. This includes identifying exclusions, operational constraints and key infrastructure such as stock routes.
This shifts the starting point. From asking whether land is suitable, to defining how a project should work with the land.
It allows landowners to shape the conversation before it begins.
Better information, earlier
Assess 2.0 provides a starting point for landowners and their advisors.
It helps to understand renewable energy suitability, see potential value in plain terms, identify constraints and operational impacts and consider how projects may coexist with farming. This results in more informed early discussions and a stronger position when engaging with developers.
For the sector, it supports better outcomes by improving clarity and alignment from the outset.
Built with industry and landowners
The platform has been developed through an ARENA-supported process, guided by a Stakeholder Reference Group comprising representatives from agriculture, First Nations and industry.
This ensured the platform reflects real-world needs. Practical on-farm use, simplicity and long-term planning were central to its design.
The result is a tool that moves beyond theory and supports how decisions are actually made on the ground.
Supporting better outcomes across land, energy and community
The renewable energy transition is reshaping how land is used across regional Australia.
Assess 2.0 is designed to support that transition by ensuring landowners have access to independent, high-quality information before entering discussions.
For landowners, this means greater clarity and confidence.
For developers, it means engaging with better prepared landowners and clearer early signals.
For the sector, it supports more considered project planning and stronger coexistence between agriculture and energy.
Now live
Assess 2.0 is now live and available to landowners across Australia.
It will continue to improve over time, evolving as more is learned from landowners and how the platform is used on the ground.