The Victorian government has approved the construction of Victoria’s largest solar farm, marking a significant step towards expanding the state's renewable energy capacity and boosting local employment.
The Hazelwood North Solar Farm will be a major addition to Victoria’s renewable energy landscape, boasting a 450 megawatt capacity. This project is set to power approximately 150,000 homes and prevent 700,000 tonnes of emissions annually.
Valued at $651 million, the Hazelwood North Solar Farm is expected to generate around 500 construction jobs. Once completed, it will surpass all existing solar farms in the state in size. The construction plan includes native vegetation landscaping to visually screen the facility from the surrounding area.
The Hazelwood North Solar Farm
- A $650 million, 450 megawatt capacity solar farm is under construction in Hazelwood, Victoria
- This project is set to power approximately 150,000 homes and prevent 700,000 tonnes of emissions
- The government says Victoria is on track to meet its renewable energy target of 95 per cent by 2035
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
The project will also feature a 450 megawatt, 4-hour battery energy storage system, allowing solar power generated during the day to be stored and fed into the grid as needed. This addition aligns with Victoria’s goal of reaching 65 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and 95 per cent by 2035, with energy storage targets of at least 2.6 gigawatts by 2030 and 6.3 gigawatts by 2035.
Victoria’s largest battery also under construction
The Victorian government has also approved the construction of Australia’s largest battery in the Grampians, with the project expected to take just nine weeks. This ACEnergy battery will store energy and release it into the grid during peak demand, supporting the integration of more renewable energy into Victoria’s electricity network and putting downward pressure on power prices.
The news comes after the Victorian government announced the pilot stage of the State Electricity Commission relaunch, which includes a free digital platform designed to guide users through a brief survey about their home and energy usage.
“Cheaper, cleaner power to thousands of homes”
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny highlighted the significance of the project, noting, “The approval of the Hazelwood North Solar Farm will strengthen Victoria’s renewable energy industry and provide cheaper, cleaner power to thousands of homes.”
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio also emphasised the project’s impact, stating, “The Latrobe Valley has been the home of Victoria’s energy generation for decades and our nation-leading targets are helping solidify its role in our renewable energy future – this project will deliver 500 local jobs and power 150,000 homes.”
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing added, “As our transition to renewable energy continues across the Latrobe Valley, we’re supporting another valuable project that will boost cheap energy, and support jobs and economic growth for communities across the region.”
Recent policy changes under the Development Facilitation Program have expedited planning for renewable energy projects, facilitating faster delivery. Victoria is on track to meet its renewable energy target of 95 per cent by 2035, a milestone expected to create 59,000 jobs, generate $9.5 billion in economic development, and contribute to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045.
Find out everything about the Hazelwood Solar Farm here.
