Auction to deliver 900MW of renewable energy in Victoria

Wind farm turbines at sunset with long grass in foreground (yanco delta)
Image: Shutterstock

Six projects that will generate more than 900MW of new clean energy have been successful at Victoria’s first renewable energy auction.

The auction, part of the Victorian Renewable Energy Targets (VRET), was initially expected to deliver at least 650MW of renewable energy.

That goal has been smashed, with the auction instead delivering 928MW of renewable energy – almost 45 per cent more power than originally anticipated.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio today visited the Ararat Wind Farm to announce the six successful projects that will produce enough electricity to power 646,273 households.

“It’s simple – greater supply of renewable energy means lower power prices and more jobs for Victorian families,” the Premier said.

“We’re making Victoria the capital of renewable energy and supporting the thousands of local jobs it creates.”

The successful projects are:

  • the 180MW Berrybank Wind Farm, west of Geelong;
  • the 121.6MW Carwarp Solar Farm, south of Mildura;
  • the 34.5MW Cohuna Solar Farm, northwest of Echuca;
  • the 336MW Dundonnell Wind Farm, northeast of Warrnambool; and
  • the 157.5MW Mortlake South Wind Farm, south of Mortlake.

Together, the projects will generate $1.1 billion of economic investment in regional Victoria and create more than 900 jobs, including 270 apprenticeships and traineeships.

“Renewable energy creates jobs, drives growth, and protects our environment – and most importantly, helps drive down power prices for Victorian households and businesses,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

The 928MW of power produced by these projects is expected to drive a 16 per cent reduction in Victoria’s electricity sector greenhouse gas emissions by 2034/35.

The VRET will ensure 25 per cent of electricity generation comes from renewable sources by 2020, and 40 per cent by 2025.

Environment Victoria labelled the auction a major step in Victoria’s transition to a zero-carbon economy.

“This is the largest clean energy auction result we’ve seen to date in Australia,” Environment Victoria CEO Mark Wakeham said.

“We congratulate the state government for delivering a great result for the state’s clean energy industry and accelerating the state’s leadership in tackling global warming.

“The auction will kickstart six new projects across Victoria, building three new wind farms and three new solar farms.”

Previous articleQUT leads new hydrogen pilot plant
Next articleACCIONA invests $288m in wind after VRET success