More Support For Renewables In Victoria

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The Victorian Government has stumped up more funding to help the state towards its renewable energy goals and low-carbon economy aspirations.

Announced on Wednesday, the Government will provide $500,000 to the Grampians New Energy Taskforce (GNeT) and $50,000 to Federation University TAFE Australia.

Grampians New Energy Taskforce (GNeT)

The funding will be used to develop a roadmap to transition the Grampians region, already a renewable energy powerhouse, to a low-carbon economy by 2050. GNeT will look into new economic and investment opportunities in the region as part of the roadmap.

The Grampians is a region in the western part of Victoria covering around 48,000 square kilometres. Its largest towns are  Hamilton, Horsham, Ararat and Stawell.

According to the Victorian Government, almost $3 billion-worth of wind farm developments are currently under construction in the Grampians area. Solar power is also popular, with more than 2,800 small-scale home and commercial systems installed in the towns mentioned above, representing a collective capacity of more than 11.6MW.

In addition to all 11 Grampians Local Government Areas, the Grampians New Energy Taskforce also includes the Central Highlands and Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnerships, RDA Grampians, Wimmera Development Association and the Committee for Ballarat.

Renewable Energy Training Centre

A renewable energy training centre may be on the cards for Ballarat. Federation University TAFE Australia will use the $50,000 to develop a business case for the centre.

“The proposed Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Training Centre has the potential to boost local jobs in the renewable energy sector – that’s why we’re supporting it with this funding,” stated Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio.

Yes 2 Renewables welcomed the news.

“There’s a strong need for funding to train skilled, local workers to construct, install and maintain renewable energy projects with a steady pipeline of projects getting underway thanks to the Victoria’s Renewable Energy Target, so this is a welcome step” said Pat Simons, Yes 2 Renewables Coordinator.

As well as big projects, the Ballarat area is no slouch on small-scale solar power either, with 2,690 systems installed in Ballarat’s postcode as at the end of May boasting a collective capacity of around 10.6MW.

Victoria’s Renewable Energy Target

Victoria’s Renewable Energy Target (VRET) was signed into law last year. The target stipulates goals of 25 per cent renewables by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025. At the time the legislation was passed, renewable energy sources accounted for approximately 17 per cent of state’s electricity generation.

Also on the horizon for Victoria – the State Government is expected to announce the results of the VRET reverse auction later this month.