The Allan Labor Government is getting more renewable energy projects off the ground after accelerating the approval of a project that will help provider cheaper and cleaner energy to households during peak demand.
ACEnergy's Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Little River 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 770MWh of energy during times of high generation and will have the capacity to supply more than 121,000 households at times of peak demand.
The $350 million project is also expected to create 55 jobs during construction as well as five jobs during the project's operation.
The decision follows consultation with residents, stakeholders, council, the Country Fire Authority, EnergySafe Victoria and other agencies - with the Government extending consultation at the council's request.
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.
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
"Renewable energy is the cheapest form of new build energy available - that's exactly why we're fast-tracking decisions on projects like this, 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."
