The Allan Labor Government is getting more renewable energy projects off the ground after accelerating a project that will help provide cheaper and cleaner energy to thousands of households during peak demand.
Umwelt's Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Tarrone has been fast-tracked through the Labor Government's Development Facilitation Program.
The battery will soak up and store cheap renewable energy during the day that can be pumped back into the electricity grid at times of peak demand, helping to deliver cheaper energy bills and reliable electricity to Victorian homes and businesses.
This BESS project will be able to store up to 200MWh of energy during times of high generation and will have the capacity to supply around 69,000 households at times of peak demand.
The $190 million project is also expected to create more than 100 jobs across all stages of construction, as well as two full time ongoing roles for when the storage system becomes operational.
The decision follows consultation with residents, stakeholders, council, the Country Fire Authority, Ausnet, Worksafe and Moyne Shire Council.
The Government opened up the Development Facilitation Program to include renewable energy projects last year - to get more cleaner and cheaper energy projects off the ground faster.
Since then, the Government has fast-tracked $4.4 billion worth of renewable energy projects. These 16 projects have the potential to power around 540,000 households annually, and battery storage capable of meeting evening peak demand for more than 1 million households.
Prior to this fast-tracked pathway, more than one in five renewable energy project applications ended up stuck in VCAT despite the overwhelming majority of projects being approved eventually - often delaying them by two years.
The Labor Government's record investments in renewable energy means Victoria has the lowest wholesale power prices in the country - bringing online even more renewable energy will ensure prices stay low into the future.
As stated by Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny
"We're fast-tracking decisions on renewable energy projects like this one to provide cheaper and cleaner energy for more Victorians."
As stated by Minister for Energy Lily D'Ambrosio
"This Battery Energy Storage System is another way we're shoring up energy supply and assisting our transition to 95 percent renewable energy by 2035."
