Ministers statements: renewable energy
Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (12:32): This week I was proud to announce a groundbreaking investment by the Andrews Labor government that will help to revolutionise Victoria’s bioenergy landscape. This landmark initiative provides close to $10 million through the waste-to-energy bioenergy fund to support 25 projects across the state. These projects aim to harness the power of organic waste and convert it into renewable energy instead of letting it end up in landfills. This funding will enable farming and food production sectors as well as other industries to transform agricultural livestock food and food waste into electricity, heat, gas or liquid fuel. By embracing bioenergy, Victoria will take significant strides towards a greener and more sustainable future. It is estimated that these projects will add 8.3 megawatts of renewable energy capacity to the grid. This is equivalent to powering 4160 homes, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
Projects include Goulburn Valley tomato grower Katunga Fresh converting spent tomato plants into gas, which will be used to heat their glasshouse. Excess gas will be returned to the grid, further contributing to our renewable energy supply. Australian Consolidated Milk will convert cheese whey waste into biogas to power its dairy-manufacturing plant. These projects open up new revenue streams for Victoria’s primary producers and also create new long- and short-term jobs. This investment makes a decisive step towards a greener and more resilient Victoria, where organic waste is transformed into renewable energy, building a cleaner future for our state and creating sustainable jobs.