The Allan Labor Government is focused on what matters most – driving down Victorians power bills by bringing online more new renewable energy.
Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny and Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio today announced that $3.3 billion of renewable energy investment has been fast-tracked under the Development Facilitation Program (DFP), unlocking new projects and creating local jobs.
Since expanding the Development Facilitation Program (DFP) last year to include renewable energy, 13 projects have been approved – creating around one thousand new jobs in construction and operations.
Once completed, these projects will collectively generate enough power for 330,000 households annually, with battery storage capacity sufficient to meet peak evening demand for approximately 790,000 homes.
The approved developments include a range of renewable projects including five battery storage systems, seven solar farms and one wind farm.
Previously, more than one in five renewable energy project applications faced lengthy delays in VCAT, in some instances delaying them by up to two years, despite most projects being eventually approved.
Victoria already has the lowest wholesale energy prices in the market thanks to the Labor Government’s investment in renewable energy. As more renewable energy infrastructure comes online, this will help drive down power bills even further.
Victoria has met every climate target it has set to date and with a strong pipeline of projects and initiatives, including new streamlined approvals pathways is on track to reach 95 percent renewable energy generation by 2035.
The Labor Government is making sure Victoria’s unique biodiversity is protected while giving renewable energy developers the certainty they need to continue building their projects in Victoria with the release of the Handbook for the development of renewable energy in Victoria.
This handbook will make sure industry has the confidence it needs to invest in Victoria as we work to bring online more cheap, clean renewable energy.
Unlike Brad Battin’s Liberal Party, we have a clear plan to drive down energy bill for Victorians. Our streamlined planning approvals process is giving industry the confidence it needs to invest in Victoria – creating more local jobs and keeping the lights on and power bills down as our coal fired power generators retire.
Quote attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan
“We know cost of living pressures are real for every Victorian, and I’m on their side – that’s why we’re doing everything we can to drive down their power bills.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny
“We’re making good decisions faster and greenlighting more renewable projects that will power hundreds of thousands of homes and create one thousand jobs.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio
“We already have the cheapest wholesale energy prices in the country. Fast-tracking this process means even more Victorians will benefit from cheaper and cleaner power in their own homes sooner.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos
“Victoria is home to many valued native plants and animals – we’re making sure they’re protected as we build the state’s renewable energy future.”