Renewable projects in Victoria continue to power ahead, with construction kicking off on a new solar farm, set to generate enough clean energy to power up to 40,000 Victorian homes once complete.
Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, announced the milestone for the Fulham Solar Farm and battery in Gippsland, which is expected to help create more jobs for local supply chains.
The project is supported by the second Victorian Renewable Energy Target auction (VRET2) – a scheme that was set up to help more deliver more renewable energy into the grid and save Victorian families money on their energy bills.
The 80MW solar farm will be coupled with a 64MW/128MWh battery – which will soak up the renewable energy from the sun while it is cheap and dispatch it back into the grid during peak demand.
Octopus Investments is driving the construction and operation of the project, investing more than $300 million towards the large-scale energy facility, which will support 156 jobs during construction.
The project will also use 67 per cent of local services, goods and materials during construction and 97 per cent once operational – part of the content requirement across all VRET2 projects to support local supply chains.
Octopus Investments will also invest a further $3 million towards engagement and benefit sharing with the local community for the 35-year operational life of the project, ensuring regional towns receive additional benefits for hosting renewable projects.
The Victorian Government said its record investments in renewable energy means the state has the lowest wholesale power prices in the country, and bringing online even more renewable energy will ensure prices stay low into the future.
Once complete, is is expected that VRET projects will have supported more than 1720 direct jobs and attracted $2.48 billion of investment in new renewable energy projects.
The SEC will power government schools, hospitals, police stations, libraries and other government operations with cheap renewable electricity from these projects.
Ms D’Ambrosio said the Fulham Solar Farm will deliver more great jobs in Gippsland and cheaper energy bills for all Victorians.
“This project is a fantastic example of how we’re working with industry to provide opportunities for local supply chains and local communities to benefit from our renewable energy future.”
Victorian Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh, said, “This project will generate new jobs and opportunities for local supply chains, boosting investment in the local economy.”
