Victoria’s Government Applauded For Renewable Energy Push

Renewable Energy (Jobs and Investment) Bill 2017 To Drive Victoria’s Clean Energy Future

Legislation for new renewable energy targets, major solar farm contracts and Australia’s largest renewable energy auction – it was a big day in Victoria yesterday for renewables.

The Andrews Labor Government announced it will introduce legislation into State Parliament this week for the Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET).  Renewable Energy (Jobs and Investment) Bill 2017 will put into law targets of 25 per cent renewables by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025, originally announced in June 2016.

The Government says the VRET will cut the average cost of electricity from around $30 a year for households in Victoria to up to $140,000 a year for large companies, while driving down the state’s electricity sector greenhouse gas emissions 16% by 2034-35.

An important part of achieving the target will be a reversion auction for up to 650 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, the biggest program of its kind to date in Australia. This will provide enough electricity to power 389,000 average Victorian households, unleash up to $1.3 billion of investment, create 1,250 construction jobs over two years and 90 ongoing jobs.

“More renewable energy means more jobs for Victorians – that’s why we’re setting these ambitious targets and promoting investment in this growing sector,” said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

The Clean Energy Council said the VRET will put the state in “pole position” for jobs and investment, and help to fill the gap left by the retirement of Hazelwood Power Station.

“Victoria is realising an immense opportunity to grow its economy and preserve its future energy security through the establishment of a strong and long-term VRET scheme, which will ensure the roll-out of renewable energy projects well beyond 2020,” said CEC Chief Executive Kane Thornton.

The Climate Council also welcomed the announcements.

“These plans to lock-in Victoria’s renewable targets will put the state on a path to help Australia achieve its Paris commitments by 2030,” said Climate Councillor and energy expert Andrew Stock. “This again proves that large-scale renewable energy, such as wind and solar are now the cheapest forms of new power generation.”

Solar Citizens congratulated the Andrews government for its leadership on renewable energy.

“While the Federal Government is missing in action on renewable energy policy, we’re once again seeing the states and territories leading the way when it comes to ensuring Australia has a clean, renewable energy future,”  stated  Solar Citizens National Director, Claire O’Rourke.

Also announced yesterday was the awarding of tenders for around 138 MW of new large scale solar power capacity that will be utilised to power Melbourne’s tram network. The two winning projects were Bannerton Solar Park near Robinvale and Numurkah Solar Farm, to be constructed near Shepparton.