The Victorian Government has released tenders for the construction of large-scale solar plants in the State, which will generate up to $150 million in new capital investments as well as 300 jobs in regional Victoria.

Approximately 75MW of new solar projects will be built by the Solar Certificate Tender and these solar projects will be able to generate enough power to supply over 15,000 homes or a town the size of Mildura.

From these projects, around 35MW of power will be linked to Melbourne’s trams – which is enough energy to power the entire tram network. To make this work, the State Government will voluntarily surrender its renewable energy certificates which matches the amount of electricity used by Melbourne’s trams and this scheme will be in addition to the national Renewable Energy Target.

The Victorian Government will also acquire renewable energy certificates from the successful tenderers of the solar projects.

These new solar projects are expected to reduce more than 80,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year, keeping the State on track to meet its target of net-zero emissions by the year 2050.

These tenders build on the success of the Victorian Government contracts which will help build two new wind farms at Kiata and Mt Gellibrand, bringing forward approximately $220 million in investment as well as creating hundreds of local jobs.

Want more information on the Renewable Certificate Purchasing Initiative and its associated tenders? Visit the Renewable Energy Purchasing web page today.

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Source: Premier of Victoria