Victoria intends grid upgrades to sustain renewable resource zones

• The Australian state of Victoria has introduced six grid upgrade projects as part of efforts to open new renewables investment.

The stage one projects of the AU$ 540 million (US$ 398 million) renewable energy areas (REZs) will certainly make it much easier for brand-new projects to be attached to Victoria's grid, revealing developers how Victoria awaits brand-new solar as well as wind projects, according to Lily D'Ambrosio, state priest for energy, atmosphere and also climate change

Performing like "shock absorbers", three items of framework will certainly ravel higher and also lower prices of energy flowing via the lines, so renewables can easily enter the grid.

An additional 3 projects will update the transmission network, to increase the capacity of existing lines, so they can carry greater energy tons, pumping more renewables throughout Victoria.

The Australian Energy Market Operator will seek tenders for the 6 projects, which will modernise Victoria's electricity grid as well as unlock new clean energy financial investment.

Currently Victoria has its best energy infrastructure in the Latrobe Valley, where coal-fired power has traditionally been concentrated. Yet the upgrade projects are targeted along the gusty southwest coast and the bright northwest to enable more renewables to flow with.

In February 2021, the locations of six REZs were verified as Ovens Murray, Murray River, Central North, Western Victoria, South West and also Gippsland.

D'Ambrosio said the grid upgrade projects "will certainly ensure we have the transmission needed to harness the sunlight and wind throughout Victoria. This is a clear signal to capitalists that Victoria is open for company, and all set for new wind and solar projects that develop tasks and also opportunities in regional areas throughout Victoria."

A brand-new body named Vicgrid was created to plan as well as establish the REZs, and supervise financial investment decisions associated with the AU$ 540 million REZ fund.

In developing an additional 10GW of capacity for renewables, Victoria's complete renewable energy capability across its REZs is expected to leading 16GW by 2040, tripling the state's renewable capability today.

Furthermore, a more two network financial investment projects-- the Mortlake Turn-in, and the Western Victorian Transmission Network Uprate-- are likewise under analysis.

Elsewhere in Australia, Queensland is investing AU$ 145 million to develop 3 REZs, while New South Wales protected a nine-fold oversubscription for its very first zone, before announcing a 2nd 8GW zone that is expected to draw in AU$ 12.7 billion in financial investment.