Thursday, 31 August 2023

Ministers statements: renewable energy

Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (14:26): I rise to update the house on how this government is united in delivering this state’s renewable energy revolution. Right now we have more than 130 Victorian renewable energy projects registered with the market operator, of course not to mention the six VRET 2 projects that we are delivering, plus 11 projects that are under construction and will soon provide 1300 megawatts of new electricity to Victoria. Just to name a few of these, we have Ryan Corner, Golden Plains, Hawkesdale and many, many more. Right now we are out to market to contract the SEC’s pioneer investment projects by the end of this year, accelerating our move towards 95 per cent renewables by 2035 and net zero by 2045.

More electricity means more supply, lower prices and those jobs – 59,000 of them. The renewables industry boom is absolutely going ahead – 5.8 gigawatts of renewable capacity in Victoria. That is four times the capacity of Yallourn power station. Yesterday we announced with the Commonwealth the fast-track capacity investment scheme to turbocharge more development of renewable capacity and generation. I have to say, some are becoming quite hysterical about this transition, preferring to lock Victorians into expensive nuclear energy, which also would take years and years and years to build. Meanwhile, coal power stations are leaving. That is what they are doing, absolutely.

We are about getting on with the job that Victorians voted for us on, not once but three times. Some are going off like nuclear fuel rods, with Chicken Little dressed up as Dr Strangelove over there, eating the yellowcake in the corner with the tinfoil hats on in the fallout shelter. The only thing that they are united on is their commitment to each other for mutually assured destruction. That is what you will get from them – nuclear energy and mutually assured destruction.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Eureka can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Eureka withdrew from chamber.