Two renewable energy projects in VIC fast tracked towards construction

Two renewable energy projects will soon be delivered as the Victorian Government accelerates the approval of the Brewster Wind Farm and Baranduda Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). 

These projects were fast-tracked through the State Government’s Development Facilitation Program to get more renewable energy projects off the ground and drive electricity prices down. 

The Brewster Wind Farm near Beaufort will comprise of six turbines with a total capacity of 40MW, providing enough energy to power about 25,000 households each year. This project is expected to create 80 jobs during construction and 85 local operational jobs. 

Meanwhile, the 400MW Baranduda BESS near Wodonga will be connected to the Wodonga Terminal Station and it can store enough clean energy to meet the evening peak demands of around 140,000 households annually. 

“We’re fast-tracking renewable energy projects like the Brewster Wind Farm and the Baranduda Battery Energy System because we know the right projects in the right locations means cheaper power prices for Victorians sooner,” Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said. 

Last year, the Victorian Government opened the Development Facilitation Program to include renewable energy projects to get cleaner and cheaper energy projects off the ground quicker. 

More than $1 billion worth of renewable energy projects have been fast-tracked since then, which will provide cheaper and cleaner power for over 337,000 Victorian households each year. 

“Renewable energy is the cheapest form of new build energy available – that’s why we’re cut red tape, making sure it can be built sooner, helping bring down power prices and create great new jobs for locals,” Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said. 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; RE Future – Brewster Wind Farm; Baranduda Energy Reserve; Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Renew Economy