Auction results a decisive step forward for Victoria’s renewable energy powered future

Environment Victoria today welcomed the release of the first Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) auction results, labelling it a major step in Victoria’s transition to a zero-carbon economy.

The VRET auctions will bring online 928 MW of new wind and solar farms that will reduce pollution and drive down power prices. The announcement is more renewable energy than expected, with the auction originally seeking 650 MW of new renewable energy projects.

Environment Victoria CEO Mark Wakeham said:

“Today’s announcement is a decisive step towards making Victoria Australia’s renewable energy heartland. This is the largest clean energy auction result we’ve seen to date in Australia. We congratulate the Andrews government for delivering a great result for the state’s clean energy industry and accelerating the state’s leadership in tackling global warming.

“The result stands in stark contrast to the Morrison government’s recent announcement that they have given up trying to reduce emissions and have no plan to support new renewable energy projects.

“The auction will kickstart six new projects across Victoria, building three new wind farms and three new solar farms. This will create hundreds of new jobs in regional Victoria and provide vital support for the businesses that serve renewable energy projects in areas such as Portland and Lilydale.

“We’re particularly pleased that the Andrews government has decided to grasp the opportunity to build more energy than originally planned. Victoria has the most polluting power supply in the country so we need to be taking the largest steps to bring on renewables as quickly as possible.

“The auction results confirm the benefits of having a legislated renewable energy target. The next step will be to set a schedule for future auctions so that have a constant pipeline of new clean energy projects and jobs.”

“Victoria’s renewables industry has been booming, and the massive investment that’s been announced today demonstrates a clear appetite to invest in further projects.

“The windfall of jobs and investment announced today highlights the lunacy of Matthew Guy’s Coalition plans to scrap the Victorian Renewable Energy Target if elected in November. Axing the VRET will kill off clean energy jobs in regional Victoria, including in many Liberal held seats.

“We urgently need both major parties to deliver long-term stability for wind and solar jobs this election.

“It’s time for Matthew Guy to differentiate himself from his climate-science denying colleagues in Canberra and reconsider his opposition to renewable energy. Renewable energy is strongly supported by Victorians and is creating thousands of jobs and lowering power prices,” said Mr Wakeham.