State power set to rise
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The Victorian Government has revealed plans for a $370 million, state-owned renewable energy initiative.
The SEC Renewable Energy Park, to be constructed in Horsham, north-west Victoria, is the second major project by the revitalised State Electricity Commission (SEC).
Premier Jacinta Allan has laid out a proposal featuring a 119-megawatt solar farm and a 100-megawatt, two-hour battery.
The facility is expected to generate 242,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy annually, sufficient to power 51,000 homes. Construction is scheduled to begin soon, with operations anticipated by 2027.
The Renewable Energy Park will be Victoria’s first 100 per cent government-owned energy generation project since the privatisation of the energy system in the 1990s.
The project is part of the state government’s commitment to using 100 per cent renewable electricity for schools, hospitals, and public offices.
The energy generated will also play a role in achieving Victoria’s target of at least 2.6 gigawatts of energy storage capacity by 2030.
In collaboration with developer OX2, the SEC estimates that construction will create approximately 246 jobs, including opportunities for apprentices, trainees, and cadets.
The Horsham Rural City Council (HRCC) has welcomed the project, with Mayor Ian Ross calling it “a significant step towards a sustainable future for Horsham and Victoria”.
The project will include a community benefits fund to support local initiatives, allocating $42,000 annually during construction and $70,000 per year once operational.
The SEC Renewable Energy Park is part of a broader $1 billion commitment by the Victorian Government to expand renewable energy infrastructure.
This includes the SEC’s first investment, the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub, which is set to be operational by 2025.
Combined, these projects aim to deliver 4.5 gigawatts of renewable energy and storage capacity, enough to supply 1.5 million homes.
The Horsham facility is designed to support grid stability with its integrated battery energy storage system, which will store excess solar energy for release during peak demand periods.
It is expected to offset 206,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
The local council says it ensured that the project aligns with community priorities, facilitating planning approvals and engagement with First Peoples.
