The Allan Labor Government has fast-tracked another renewable energy project through its new streamlined pathway, which will provide cheap renewable energy for Victorian households.

Renewable energy developer BrightNight now has the green light to begin construction on the $700 million Mortlake Energy Hub in the state’s southwest.

The project will combine a 360-megawatt solar energy facility with a 300-megawatt battery energy storage system capable of powering 140,000 homes and cutting emissions by 41.4 million tonnes annually.

The BrightNight project is expected to create around 300 construction jobs and leverage the existing Mortlake Terminal Station to store energy and solar power and release it into the grid when it’s needed – delivering more affordable and renewable energy.

Earlier this year, renewable energy projects became eligible for the Labor Government’s Development Facilitation Program pathway – ensuring more cleaner and cheaper energy projects get off the ground faster.

Projects like this support Victoria’s renewable energy targets of 65 per cent by 2030 and 95 per cent by 2035 and are supported by energy storage targets of at least 2.6 gigawatts by 2030 and 6.3 gigawatts by 2035.

Achieving Victoria’s renewable energy targets is expected to create 59,000 jobs and deliver $9.5 billion in economic development to help us reach net zero emissions by 2045.

Quote attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio

“The Mortlake Energy Hub will soak up locally generated renewable energy and pump it back into the grid when it’s needed most to support Victorian homes and businesses with cheaper energy.”

Quote attributable to Acting Minister for Planning Colin Brooks

“This is another example of how we are getting more renewable energy projects off the ground faster – providing cheaper and cleaner power for more than a hundred thousand homes.”

Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora

“Our government is helping to bring online cheaper, cleaner renewable energy which will help lower power bills and keep the lights on across the state.”