MEDIA RELEASE – 29 Aug 2018

Matthew Guy comes to the party on renewable energy jobs, yet commitment to Vic Renewables Target is the real test

Opposition leader Matthew Guy made a renewable energy policy announcement this morning at Keppel Prince in Portland where hundreds are employed manufacturing wind turbine towers.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy’s proposal would require renewable energy projects over $50 million to use 75 percent local content. The opposition would reject planning permits for projects that fail to meet this standard.

Victoria's Daniel Andrews government has made a dramatic announcement that it will roll out cheap solar power to more than half a million homes if re-elected, committing to a $1.2 billion plan that would offer rebates and no-interest loans so households can install rooftop solar. 

Environment group Friends of the Earth commend Premier Andrews for the announcement, and call on opposition leader Matthew Guy to match the Premier's ambition on renewable energy.

“The Andrews government's ambitious solar plan is exactly the kind of society-wide rollout of renewable energy Victoria needs to act on climate change” said Pat Simons, Friends of the Earth's Yes 2 Renewables coordinator.

National environment Group Friends of the Earth welcomes the Andrews government's twin announcements of the Grampians New Energy Taskforce and funding for the Asia-Pacific Renewable Energy Centre at Federation Uni in Ballarat, saying they can take the next step by establishing a Victorian Climate Change Action Fund.

“By making investments like these the Andrews government is acknowledging the importance of acting on climate change” said Act on Climate Vic coordinator Leigh Ewbank.

“To make sure Victorians are getting the most bang for buck the Andrews government can take the next step and establish a Victorian Climate Change Action Fund to address this critical issue.”

Friends of the Earth say the local region can be proud of the project that will power 25,000 homes and help Victoria tackle climate change. 

"Victorian climate change solutions such as the Wonwonda wind farm bring jobs and investment to regional communities," said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth climate spokesperson. 

"The facility will contribute towards Victoria meeting its legislated target of zero net emissions by 2050--something the whole community can be proud of." 

Friends of the Earth were pleased to attend the official opening of the Kiata wind farm today, and say the project is renewable energy success story that highlights the need for the Turnbull government to hit the reset button on energy policy.

The completion of the new wind farm comes amid reports the national Renewable Energy Target will be met two-years ahead of schedule. This surprising result shows it's time for PM Turnbull to address his government's energy policy failures by restoring the RET.

“The Kiata wind farm was built thanks to Victoria's Renewable Energy Target (VRET) and is the type of policy the Turnbull government should be emulating," said Pat Simons, Friends of the Earth's renewable energy spokesperson.

“There's a reason five states and territories around the country have adopted renewable energy targets. They work."

MEDIA RELEASE - 5 Sept 2017

Friends of the Earth welcome the Australian Energy Market Operator's Electricity Statement of Opportunities, and say the analysis shows the Victorian Renewable Energy Target will secure the state's energy future.

“Premier Daniel Andrews is securing Victoria's energy supply in the face of federal inaction by investing in renewable energy,” said Pat Simons, Freinds of the Earth spokesperson.

"The Andrews government has made the right call with it's decision to set renewable energy targets."

"The AEMO analysis shows the electricity sector is gearing up for greater use of wind and solar."

MEDIA RELEASE - 23 August 2017

"A vital stepping stone towards 10,000 jobs"

The Andrews government have this morning announced the first big solar farms in the state as well as auctions to bring 650 megawatts of new projects online to kick off the legislative push on the Victorian Renewable Energy Target. 

Friends of the Earth welcome the announcement and say it’s a vital stepping stone for the Andrews government towards its commitment to deliver 5,400 megawatts of solar and wind by 2025--taking Victoria to 40 percent renewables.

The Baillieu/ Napthine government has the poorest track record on the protection and restoration of the environment of any government since Victoria’s peak environment groups were founded in the 1950s.

The state’s environment groups, Environment Victoria (founded 1969), The Wilderness Society (founded 1976), Friends of the Earth (founded 1973) and the Victorian National Parks Association (founded 1952) have today said that the past four years of policy under the Napthine and Baillieu Governments represents a wholesale attack on the state’s environment.