$21.8 million energy security boost focuses on solar

The Brumby Labor Government will deliver more funding to Victoria’s energy and resources sectors to create jobs, back renewable energy and invest in greater energy security for Victorians.

The Minister for Energy and Resources, Peter Batchelor, said the 2009 State Budget provided funding to encourage investments in solar energy, improve mine safety and infrastructure, continue reforms to the national energy market and fund energy efficiency programs.

“The Brumby Labor Government is delivering strong leadership in tough global times to see Victoria through and build for the future, with this budget alone securing up to 35,000 Victorian jobs,” Mr Batchelor said.

“The Brumby Labor Government’s 2009 State Budget provides important funding for the energy and resources sectors to deliver greater energy security, as well as investing in renewable energy projects, such as large-scale solar plants.

“Victoria has huge solar potential and as we move into a low carbon future, the Brumby Labor Government will encourage investment in renewable energy that will reduce greenhouse emissions and create jobs.

“In March the Brumby Labor Government announced we would commit up to $100 million towards a large-scale solar power station for Victoria, subject to matching funding from the Rudd Federal Government.”

Mr Batchelor said the Brumby Labor Government’s commitments to large-scale solar development in Victoria would be advanced in the 2009 State Budget, with $1 million to facilitate a new large-scale solar energy generator for Victoria. The location will be decided through a tender process.

“The 2009 State Budget will fund the tender process, which will include a thorough evaluation and assessment of proposals and contract negotiations to get a solar power station of at least 125 MW operating by 2015,” Mr Batchelor said.

“This project and the 154 MW Solar Systems plant will put Victoria at the forefront of large-scale solar generation, potentially creating jobs in a local solar component manufacturing industry.”

Other key energy initiatives in the 2009 State Budget are:

• $1 million for a scoping study to be completed during the next financial year as part of the Gippsland Regional Infrastructure Development initiative to identify and create better road, rail and port infrastructure for the power industry. This initiative will deliver jobs and economic growth to the Gippsland region, with proposed projects estimated to deliver $10-$20 billion worth of investment to the region;
• $11.1 million over five years to support stronger regulation of Victorian mines and establish a Technical Review Board that will improve industry and government understanding of mine stability issues; and
• $8.7 million over five years for Victoria’s contribution to the new Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), national energy market reform and energy efficiency work programs. As part of the program, inefficient incandescent light bulbs are being phased out and minimum energy performance standards will be introduced to make household appliances more energy efficient.