In a sign of how the upcoming Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) can benefit the state’s manufacturing industry through greater local content, Australia’s top wind manufacturer yesterday announced it will put on  50 new workers at the Keppel Prince wind tower factory in Portland.

Moorabool shire, located between Ballarat and Melton, can look forward to more clean energy as new wind farms step closer to construction, Moorabool Environment Group president Ben Courtice explains.

After years of federal policy uncertainty caused instability in the renewable energy sector, the Daniel Andrews government has committed to renewable energy targets of 25 percent by 2020 and 40 percent by 2025.

With NZ wind company Tilt Renewables announcing it will move its regional HQ to Melbourne as Victoria gears up to meet ambitious renewables targets, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy can show leadership on renewable jobs & investment by backing the Victorian Renewable Energy Target.

The ACT Liberal party has announced its backing for the territory’s Renewable Energy Target of 100 percent by 2020.

National environment group Friends of the Earth says the highly-anticipated meeting of the COAG Energy Council has missed an opportunity to deliver a plan for rolling out renewable energy.

The Andrews government has taken the first step towards it’s ambitious VRET plan, with state Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio opening the consultation process for Victoria’s Renewable Energy Auctions last Friday.

“Our children will have jobs that don’t exist yet.”

Friends of the Earth welcome the Andrews government’s long-awaited announcement of a 100 megawatt renewable energy purchase, saying it’s a sign of bigger things to come.

Friends of the Earth and community renewables advocate Embark have welcomed the surprise announcement of a Victorian Parliament inquiry into community-owned renewable energy.