The Victorian Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, has approved two new clean energy developments via the Development Facilitation Program (DFP).
A 500MW solar farm in Colbinabbin and a BESS (battery energy storage system) in Dederang are the latest projects approved via the DFP, expected to help drive down power bills by bringing more new renewable energy online.
Since the DFP was expanded to include renewable energy projects in 2024, the Victorian Government said it has unlocked more than $4 billion worth of investment across 15 projects that will create around 1500 new jobs in construction and operations.
Once completed, the two projects will collectively generate enough power for around 540,000 households annually, with battery storage capable of meeting evening peak demand for almost a million households.
Venn Energy’s solar farm in Colbinabbin is expected to power around 210,000 homes annually once complete. The project also includes a 300MW BESS, which will have the capacity to meet evening peak demand for approximately 100,000 households.
Mint Renewable’s 400MWh battery energy storage system in Dederang will have the capacity to power 69,000 homes during times of high demand and create 150 jobs during construction.
Proponents for both projects were required to undertake consultation with neighbouring property owners and relevant government agencies including the Country Fire Authority, Agriculture Victoria, the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, and local water authorities.
The State Government said meeting Victoria’s renewable energy targets will deliver $9.5 billion in economic activity, while the state’s energy workforce is projected to grow to more than 67,000 workers in 2040 – more than doubling the current size of the industry. Many of the ongoing benefits are expected in regional Victoria, including new jobs and local business growth.
Ms Kilkenny said, “Through this pathway, we’ve fast-tracked enough renewable energy projects to power more than half a million Victorian households with cheaper and cleaner energy.”
Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, said Victoria already has the cheapest wholesale energy prices in the country.
“Fast-tracking this process means even more Victorians will benefit from cheaper renewable energy powering their own homes sooner.”
