The Victorian Government has made public its proposed energy blueprint, the Victorian Transmission Plan (VTP), which is open for public consultation.
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VicGrid’s long-term strategy to build transmission infrastructure to connect renewables to the grid identifies seven proposed Renewable Energy Zones (REZs):
- Central Highlands
- Central North
- Gippsland (This refers to the onshore Gippsland REZ, which is separate from the Gippsland Shoreline REZ)
- North West
- South West
- Grampians Wimmera
- Wimmera Southern Mallee
VTP also includes a separate proposed Gippsland Shoreline REZ, specifically designed to host onshore connection infrastructure for offshore wind generation.
Climate Councillor and energy expert Greg Bourne said, “Renewable energy zones are key to building out the critical connections between projects and transmission infrastructure across the state. Australia is in the midst of modernising its grid, and these zones will be vital to keeping the lights on as our ageing coal-fired power stations retire.
“Victoria knows it has some of the highest energy prices in the country and is proactively looking to remedy this through deep electrification efforts to upgrade its electricity system, boost the state’s renewable generation and capacity, and improve energy efficiency.
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“These initiatives will see more Victorian homes and businesses benefit from more affordable, reliable, and cleaner renewable energy from the sun and wind, backed by storage. Community investment into these zones also deliver lasting benefits like good jobs and upgrades to essential infrastructure and services in communities.”
