Tuesday, 21 February 2023

 Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (14:07): I am absolutely delighted to update this house on our plan to unlock further investment in renewables, bring back the SEC and create tens of thousands of jobs for Victorians. Our government has made Victoria the home of renewables in this country, backed by strong targets, backed by real action and real investments, and the outcomes speak for themselves. We have smashed our 2020 renewable energy targets. We are on our way to achieving our 65 per cent renewables target by 2030 and are absolutely leading the country and in fact beyond that with a 95 per cent renewables target by 2035. We have 59,000 jobs in construction and the supply chain, from the smallest installation of a solar panel on someone’s roof right through to the big projects that are being built right across this state and will continue to be built not just on land but off coasts, offshore, with our world-leading offshore wind energy targets.

This will help us reduce our emissions – 75 to 80 per cent by 2035 – placing downward pressure on our energy prices and people’s bills every single day. More than 200,000 Victorians right now, today, are enjoying an average of $1000 off their energy bills each and every year because of this government’s commitment. Bringing back the SEC is simply going to mean more of this: more money in people’s pockets; more jobs for Victorians; great jobs for the future for young people, backed by the SEC, which will be 100 per cent owned by Victorians, produce 100 per cent renewables, deliver 4500 megawatts of new renewable power, deliver of course our SEC centre of excellence, 6000 apprenticeships and traineeships – (Time expired)