Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio met with local councillors, representatives of solar farm developers, Engee and Equans Solar & Storage, to announce the development is under way.
The new solar farms will be able to supply enough cheap renewable energy to power every household in the Rural Cities of Benalla and Wangaratta, twice over.
Ms D’Ambrosio’s announcement confirmed construction will start on the 250 megawatt (MW) Goorambat East Solar Farm.
She also had an opportunity to visit the nearby 99 megawatt Winton Solar Farm to celebrate its completion.
Ms D’Ambrosio said the Goorambat East Solar Farm will create around 250 jobs, with significant regional benefits during construction and operation, including a community benefit fund of $75,000 per year for at least 25 years.
“Victoria’s future is renewable and the more renewable energy generation that comes online the more downward pressure is put on power bills for Victorians,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“It’s great to see companies like ENGIE invest in renewable energy generation projects in Victoria following the closure of their Hazelwood coal-fired power generator in 2017.”
The solar farm will be up running in 2027 and is ENGIE’s first solar energy generation project in Victoria since Hazelwood’s closure.
The Winton Solar Farm, developed by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures has recently completed its commissioning and is now providing cheap, renewable solar power into Victoria’s electricity grid.
The Winton Solar Farm can generate enough power for 52,000 homes and created 200 jobs during its construction with support from the State Government’s first round of Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET1) auctions.
State Member for northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the government delivered five projects under VRET1, bringing forward 800 MW of new renewable capacity, enough to power more than 570,000 Victorian households.
“Our investment in renewable energy will help keep the lights on as we transition to 95 per cent renewable energy by 2035 and create more jobs and lower power prices for all Victorians,” she said.
Victoria’s renewable electricity generation hit 39 per cent last year as a result of to the 82 large-scale renewable energy projects operational to date – delivering 5.5 gigawatts of energy.
Renewable energy is the cheapest form of new build energy generation and as more comes online it will deliver cheap and reliable power to Victorians.
Victoria is on track to transition to 95 per cent renewable energy generation by 2035 which will help create 59,000 jobs.
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