The Andrews Labor Government is backing a new energy policy centre to help drive reform, and ensure Victoria’s energy system remains reliable, affordable and increasingly sustainable.

Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio today launched the Victorian Energy Policy Centre (VEPC) – a collaboration with Victorian University, who will contribute $480,000 towards the Centre.

The Labor Government will provide $1.75 million to establish the VEPC, which will undertake research into the unique energy policy challenges Australia is facing.

The Centre will be independent of government but its research will be one of many inputs into decision-making.

Its focus will be broad, but it will concentrate on consumer protections, market trends and development of the energy industry. It will look towards building the energy systems of the future, not on propping up the failing policies of the past.

The VEPC will go beyond traditional academic approaches and will actively promote public discussion on energy issues.

Research is already underway and will be ongoing for the next two years.

Victoria continues to lead the way in developing new energy policy to reduce greenhouse gases, tackle climate change and deliver Victorian Renewable Energy Targets of 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“The energy debate is often dominated by vested interests – what we need is more independent, credible voices.”

“This Centre will combine rigorous research and analysis, with a clear focus on policies that put Victorian energy customers first.”