Victoria has taken another step to becoming Australia’s solar capital with the announcement today of the first grants recipients under the Brumby Labor Government’s $5 million Community Solar Hubs Program.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings joined Member for Albert Park, Martin Foley, today to announce that five recipients from regional Victoria would receive a total of $2.2 million to help them establish the first of 10 solar hubs across the state.
Mr Jennings also released the Brumby Labor Government’s Climate Change White Paper Implementation Plan – which sets out how we will meet our 10 priority actions and initiatives to reduce Victoria’s carbon emissions – as well as an update on the progress of delivering the $175 million Jobs for the Future Economy Action Plan.
“Our Government is rising to the challenge of climate change, supporting new initiatives to cut emissions and creating a climate of new economic opportunity through converting to renewable energy sources like solar,” Mr Jennings said.
“Our Community Solar Hubs Program promotes the development of local partnerships that will reduce the cost of individual rooftop solar system installations and drive uptake of renewable energy.
“We are committed to achieving a 20 per cent reduction in the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Renewable energy projects – large and small – are an important part of achieving that goal and of preparing Victoria for a low-carbon economy.”
“The first recipients to share in $2.2 million are from Bendigo, Mildura, North East Victoria, West Gippsland and Shepparton and involve sustainability groups, local councils, community groups and energy co-operatives.
“These initiatives will produce around 10MW of power which exceeds the overall target of 8.6MW set for the entire program.
Mr Jennings said the Solar Hubs Program would provide benefits to communities through the bulk purchases of solar panels and installation services and reducing the cost of individual rooftop solar system installations.
“Households installing a solar power system can save more than 50 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions – or one million black balloons – over the 20-year life of the system,” he said.
Mr Jennings said the Victorian Climate Change White Paper Implementation Plan outlined how the government would work with businesses, industries and communities to meet our 20 per cent emissions reductions target and implement the new initiatives contained in the Action Plan.
The Implementation Plan includes:
- $30 million to facilitate the development and deployment sustainable energy technologies;
- $21.7 million over four years to increase the government’s use of GreenPower;
- $9.1 million over four years to promote innovative farming techniques that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assist farmers participate in carbon offset markets;
- $31.6 million over five years for the Clean Business Fund to help Victorian commercial and industrial businesses improve their energy efficiency performance;
- $3 million over two years to support the electric vehicles market;
- $8 million over two years to extend the Solar Hot Water rebates; and
- $30 million over three years for a retrofit incentive to increase the uptake of energy efficiency measures in Victorian households.
“Victoria has long believed a price on carbon is the best way to deliver cuts in greenhouse gas emissions but our Climate Change Implementation Plan shows we are taking action to drive down emissions and create a sustainable future for all Victorians,” Mr Jennings said.
Included in the Implementation Plan was the Brumby Labor Government’s intention to shut down two units of Hazelwood by 2014 as part of staged closure of the power station.
Mr Jennings said the Jobs for the Future Economy update showed the Government had already delivered on a number of priority actions since the plan’s release in April.
“This report shows Victoria leads Australia in building a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future, with real growth in green skilled jobs,” Mr Jennings said.
Key progress already achieved included:
- passage of legislation to facilitate financing of projects in the 1200 Buildings Program;
- the commencement of the $5 million electric vehicle trial;
- over $6.9 million in grants for low emission and biofuel projects in regional Victoria; and
- new green job opportunities for young people through a partnership with Delfin Lend Lease.
SOLAR HUBS GRANTS RECIPIENTS
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Recipient
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Description
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Amount
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Bendigo Sustainability Group/ Mount Alexander Sustainability Group (Bendigo region)
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Will facilitate the installation of 1000 photovoltaic (PV) systems in Bendigo, Castlemaine and surrounding regions. Aims to install 2 MW of solar power.
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$456,704
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Mildura Development Corp (Mildura)
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Aims to deliver 785kW of community-based solar power on 300 to 400 homes in the Mildura region, with an estimated 380 tonnes of greenhouse gas per annum.
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$392,424
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Energy Innovation Co- Op (West Gippsland)
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The project will install at least 650kW across 170 homes, 20 farms and 20 community buildings/halls.
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$250,000
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GV Community Energy (Shepparton region)
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Aims to install 2.35MW of solar energy on 1,050 households, 125 community buildings and 200 small businesses.
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$600,000
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Towong Shire (North East Victoria region)
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Aims to support the installation of over 4.2MW of solar across 2100 households (5% of households) in North East Victoria, Potential saving of more than 441,000 tones of greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the panels.
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$500,000
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