MEDIA RELEASE: 7 October 2022
Friends of the Earth welcomes the Andrews government’s announcement it will power all public sector infrastructure with renewable energy after announcing contracts for six new solar farms and four grid-scale batteries.
“Using renewable energy to power public schools, hospitals and public transport systems is a great way for Victoria to act on climate change while delivering the essential services we all rely on” said Pat Simons, Friends of the Earth’s renewable energy spokesperson.
“Building six new solar farms across four regions will create hundreds of new jobs and take Victoria another step closer towards 100% renewables” said Simons.
The successful projects were announced as part of the second round of auctions to meet the Victorian Renewable Energy Target, and will deliver 623 megawatts of new renewable energy supply and 365 megawatts of battery storage.
The announcement builds on the Victorian government’s recent pledge to set a Victorian Renewable Energy Storage Target if re-elected in November.
The announcement comes shortly after power company AGL announced it will close the Loy Yang A coal-fired power station in the Latrobe Valley by 2035, ten years earlier than previously scheduled.
As power companies continue to bring forward closure dates for the state’s coal fired power stations, the need for Victoria to accelerate its uptake of renewable energy is becoming all the more urgent.
“Today’s announcement that Gippsland will soon be home to two new solar farms is great news for the region, and will help bring new sources of jobs and energy as we transition” said Wendy Farmer, Gippsland Community Organiser for Friends of the Earth.
For Comment:
Pat Simons | [email protected] | 0415 789 961
Wendy Farmer | [email protected] | 0408 261 551