PROGRESS on the Glenrowan Solar Farm is tracking ahead of schedule as the State Government hopes the re-introduced State Electricity Commission (SEC) will help it achieve its renewable energy targets.
Minister for the State Electricity Commission (SEC) Lily D’Ambrosio visited the Glenrowan Solar Farm on Friday following the State Government's announcement of the incoming SEC’s strategic plan.
Ms D’Ambrosio said it was a wonderful sight to see 220,000 of the 300,000 panels in place at Glenrowan, with work expected to be completed by the end of the year.
“As these panels are being installed and as we move to the construction of this solar farm being completed by the end of this year, around 150 full-time jobs during this construction period are keeping a lot of people busy,” she said.
“This is really a sign of the times… these are the jobs for today as they are for the future, they employ construction workers, environmental impact assessors, electricians, designers, mechanical tradespeople, cable makers the whole lot.”
Construction on the 102MW Glenrowan Solar Farm begun in March as part of the second round of the Victorian Renewable Energy Target Auction, which when complete, will generate enough energy to power around 45,000 Australian homes.
UGL construction manager Patrick McInerney confirmed on Friday up to 200 job vacancies had been filled in the workforce for the construction of the solar farm, with 80 per cent of the workforce locals.
Ms D’Ambrosio said interest for the market was strong, with more than 100 Registrations of Interest (ROI) from energy market participants for its pioneer investment, to be announced before the end of the year.
“To have 80 per cent of those jobs coming locally is really great news, these are tangible jobs and they’re meaningful,” she said.
“We’re very excited, we know this region has fantastic renewable energy resources, wind and of course solar and we want to see more of these types of projects created.”
The SEC’s strategic plan sets out three priorities for the next 10 years including investing to accelerate energy transition, supporting the switch to all-electric households and building a renewable energy workforce.
The SEC will aim to create 59,000 jobs to help deliver the infrastructure and services needed to achieve the State Government’s goal of 95 per cent renewable energy by 2035.
Ms D’Ambrosio said the SEC will be establishing a centre of training excellence and heading into schools, TAFEs and having conversations with students at career night to help build awareness of the impending jobs available through renewable energy projects.
“We want them to understand there are going to be fantastic jobs, long-term jobs, in renewable energy and the SEC will be there to help them navigate those choices for them and hopefully, and I’m really confident, a lot of young people are eager and excited for what the future looks like for them,” she said.
Ms D’Ambrosio said to navigate an often “complex and confusing" market when it comes to choosing the right appliances and fuel the SEC will run a pilot program next year going out into communities, households through a range of approaches to give guidance on what is available to them by way of rebate and discounts, including the Victorian Energy Upgrades program which has no eligibility restrictions.
“Electrification is a really important transition and is one that is going to reap significant benefits for every household, whether they live in an apartment, a new home, or an existing home,” she said.
“The economics of it will stack up and we’re very confident it will, because we know those types of assistance supported by our government will go a long way to Victorians being able to have an affordable option to switch away and save more money from day one.
“These are significant savings Victorians can have with the help of the SEC and I’m really excited about this.”
For more information about the SEC, visit vic.gov.au/state-electricity-commission-victoria.