A new solar farm near Geelong has been fast-tracked to deliver cleaner and cheaper energy for many homes.
The state government gave the 330-megawatt Barwon Solar Farm near Little River the green light to provide energy for close to 140,000 homes each year.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said bringing more renewable energy projects online was important to help the state reach 95 per cent renewable energy by 2035.
“Fast tracking renewable energy projects like this one means we can deliver more Victorians cheaper and cleaner power sooner,” she said.
The Barwon Solar Farm received financial backing from the federal government’s Capacity Investment Scheme to ensure that developers built enough cheap, clean, and renewable energy.
A 250-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System was also proposed for the site, with the ability to meet evening peak demand needs for more than 86,000 homes.
Member for Lara Ella George said renewable energy investments meant that Victoria had the lowest wholesale power prices in the country.
“We need cleaner and cheaper power here in Victoria and this project will power around 140,000 homes, while also creating jobs and injecting more money into our local economy,” she said.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the federal government expanded its Development Facilitation Program to include renewable energy and battery storage projects last year.
“The Albanese Government is bringing on more of the cheapest form of energy this decade, with our national grid now at more than 40 percent reliable renewables,” he said.
