Thursday, 1 September 2022

Ministers statements: Solar Homes program

Ms D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park—Minister for Energy, Minister for Environment and Climate Action, Minister for Solar Homes) (14:26): I rise to update the house on how our renewables revolution is leading the country, creating jobs, cutting power bills and cutting emissions at a record pace. Last year we saw the greatest annual increase in renewables in the country, and we are charging ahead with our targets to cut emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. Our ambitious targets will create more than 24 000 jobs along the way. We are not only creating jobs through our nation-leading projects like our offshore wind targets and our big batteries but also powering ahead with the biggest household solar program in the country.

Solar Victoria has already delivered 4500 new jobs since 2018, closing in on our target of 5500 by 2028. I reckon we will more than beat that, but it does not stop there. The local solar industry is thriving, with retailers across the state installing systems supported by our Solar Homes program. That means more local jobs and income—money straight back into the pockets of hardworking Victorians right across our state. The member for Albert Park will be thrilled that one of the most popular retailers in our program is based in his electorate, with UNIfied Energy Services in Southbank installing more than 3000 systems, not to mention HP Energy in Footscray with more than 2300 installs, DoDo Solar in Glen Waverley with more than 1800 installs and Amazing Solar Solutions in Dandenong with 2782 installs. And of course the Deputy Premier will be very delighted to hear about Cola Solar in Bendigo East with more than 2500 installs. These and other businesses come with thousands and thousands of jobs for hardworking Victorians. There are those opposite who pretend they want to play the catch-up game, but at the same time they continue to preselect candidates who oppose the very things that they say they have changed on. Only our government will deliver record investment in renewables— (Time expired)