The Victorian Government says the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub’s launch marks the first time since the 1990s that the state will benefit from publicly owned energy powering the grid. Photo: Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
The Victorian Minister for the State Electricity Commission (SEC), Lily D’Ambrosio, recently announced the completion of the SEC’s first project, the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (MREH) near Melton. MREH is the largest operating battery in the country.
Following commissioning and energisation, the MREH, which is co-owned by Equis Australia and the SEC, is fully operational.
Victoria’s Government said this marked the first time the state would benefit from publicly owned energy powering the grid since the SEC was sold off in the 1990s by then Premier Jeff Kennett.
Each of the 444 battery units is online, delivering 1.6 gigawatt hours of storage, which the government said was enough to power 200,000 homes during evening peak times.
The batteries will charge when energy is abundant and discharge when supplies are low. They will also “soak up” surplus rooftop solar and energy from the grid, reducing power prices.
“Families want help with the cost of living, that’s why we brought back the SEC to help lower power prices,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“The SEC is accelerating the energy transition – this project means lower bills for Victorians and a publicly owned asset that keeps profits in the hands of Victorians – where they belong.”
Construction of MREH created jobs and training opportunities for more than 1200 people working on the system, including more than 70 cadets. trainees and apprentices.
Communities in the City of Melton and the surrounding area will also benefit from the project’s $100,000-a-year Community Benefit Fund. Early consultation regarding the design and focus of the fund has begun, and community members can have their say on the scheme via an online survey or during face-to-face events.
The MREH program is the first publicly owned storage asset that the SEC will use to supply 100 per cent renewable electricity, powered by its own projects, to run Victorian schools, hospitals, trains, police stations and more.
The government said the project added to its record investment in renewable power, which it cited as a factor behind Victoria having the lowest wholesale power prices in the nation.
