The Australian Government will finance up to $8.5 million in a venture with Octopus Australia to develop the Gippsland Renewable Energy Park.
The funding will be done through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC). The energy park in Gippsland will help accelerate the usage of clean energy in the region and boost power supply to the National Electricity Market.
“Gippsland has the potential to become the newest renewable energy hub in Victoria, with utility-scale solar, wind, battery storage and potentially clean hydrogen,” Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Tim Wilson stated.
He also said that the project is another example of how the Morrison Government is establishing Australia’s industrial future as part of the mission for carbon neutrality by 2050.
“The Gippsland Renewable Energy Park will set the benchmark for future clean energy infrastructure projects,” Assistant Minister Wilson said.
“The Park will be home to large-scale clean energy projects with the construction and development of the 3,000-hectare site creating up to 400 jobs in the region,” he added.
Darren Chester, Federal Member for Gippsland, said that supporting local jobs was an important focus.
“We have many skilled workers in our energy sector and it is important we ensure their skills can be utilised in new areas,” he said.
“This is also an important step in keeping the energy sector in our region where the knowledge and experience is and ensuring that the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland are not forgotten about,” Mr. Chester added.
Octopus Australia and the CEFC joint venture portfolio includes the acquisition of the 80 MW Fulham solar farm and 44 MW Perry Bridge developments in Gippsland.
Image Source: www.gippslandrep.com.au
