Vic govt expects 50 new wind turbines

An order for 100MW of renewable energy for Victoria will drive construction of 50 new wind turbines, Premier Daniel Andrews says.

Wind turbine farm

Source: AP

Victoria will bring forward plans to build 50 new wind turbines worth $200 million.

The Renewable Energy Roadmap will use the government's purchasing power to buy 100MW of renewable energy certificates from new projects in Victoria.

"We think that's about $200 million worth of investment or 50 new wind turbine towers across regional parts of our state," Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Friday.

The Roadmap establishes a renewable energy target of 20 per cent by 2020, as well as improving access to the grid for solar customers.

Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said the state knows the importance of renewable energy jobs.

"The sector is going to be one of the key industries that will underpin Victoria's economy," she said.

"We will ensure the renewable energy sector is alive and well."

Mr Andrews said about 1000 direct and indirect jobs will be created during the construction of new projects.

Public consultation on the Roadmap is now open.

The target has drawn fire from the Greens, who say it has locked in the Abbott government's recently reduced RET.

"Remember Greg Hunt said he'd cut our renewable energy target to create a `real 20 per cent' - that was a real cut," Greens MP Greg Barber said.

"Dan Andrews is now saying that's also his target."

Mr Barber said the plan lacked a mechanism to shut down coal-fired power stations, needed as more renewable power came online, and there was already a surplus of coal power.


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Published 21 August 2015 3:26pm
Updated 21 August 2015 3:52pm
Source: AAP

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