The Victorian Government has cut red tape to speed up the operation of two renewable energy projects. Photo: RE Future.
The Victorian Government has announced two new renewable energy projects, fast-tracked through the Development Facilitation Program (DFP).
The Brewster Wind Farm near Beaufort and the Baranduda Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near Wodonga were put through the government program created to make renewable projects operational faster.
The government said that before the DFP was created, more than 20 per cent of renewable energy project applications were greatly slowed in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, with delays often lasting two years.
“Renewable energy is the cheapest form of new-build energy available – that’s why we’ve cut red tape, making sure it can be built sooner, helping bring down power prices and create great new jobs for locals,” Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said.
The wind farm at Brewster will provide energy for about 25,000 households a year through a 40-megawatt six-turbine system. The government said 80 construction jobs would be created and the wind farm would support 85 local jobs once it was up and running.
“We’re fast-tracking renewable energy projects like the Brewster Wind Farm and the Baranduda Battery Storage System because we know the right projects in the right locations means cheaper power prices for Victorians sooner,” Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said.
The Baranduda BESS will produce 400 MW and connect to the Wodonga Terminal Station. The government said it would meet the needs of 140,000 households each year at evening peak demand.
The DFP has sped up the construction of $1 billion in renewable projects, to provide power to 337,000 homes in Victoria.
