Wednesday, 5 February 2025

 Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (14:15): I am pleased to advise that in 2024 Victorian wholesale power prices were again the lowest in the country, as reported by the Australian Energy Regulator. Our government’s fair price, the Victorian default offer, is now $311 lower than the average in other states, showing yet again how our policies are helping every Victorian with cost-of-living pressures. This is happening because we have a clear plan to get more renewables into our system. Since 2014, 59 large projects have been built, providing Victorians with cheaper energy. This will only grow as the SEC charges ahead with its two nation-leading projects in Melton and Horsham.

Also in 2024 our Solar Homes program had its biggest year yet. Around 80,000 Victorian households installed solar PV batteries or hot water, and for hot-water systems more than 31,000 households installed an electric hot-water system, which is a more than 150 per cent increase on the previous best year. A hot-water rebate will save Victorians $1000 up-front, with continued savings of $250 on average every year on their bills.

Melbourne’s western suburbs have overwhelmingly embraced the sun’s power, with 44 per cent of homes in Tarneit, Truganina, Werribee and Hoppers Crossing now having solar PV. In regional Victoria Mildura and Shepparton have the highest solar uptake, closely followed by Wodonga, Wangaratta and Wallan. These initiatives deliver real, ongoing cost-of-living relief to Victorian families. The alternative is that these will be cut, leaving Victorians to fend for themselves when it comes to cost-of-living pressure relief. Only the Allan Labor government will continue to work hard every day for Victorians, finding new ways to save on their energy bills.