The Victorian Government has accelerated the approval of two new energy projects, the Brewster Wind Farm near Beaufort and Baranduda Battery Energy Storage System [BESS] near Wodonga, through the Development Facilitation Program.
The six-turbine 40-megawatt wind farm at Brewster will provide energy for approximately 25,000 households every year. The facility will create 80 construction jobs, as well as 85 local jobs once it is up and running.
The location of the farm was chosen because it receives undisturbed wind flow with strong, consistent wind speeds, there are large setbacks to houses, there will be minimal effects on flora and fauna, it is in close proximity to the electrical grid; and it offers easy access for construction.
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The 400-megawatt Baranduda BESS will connect to the Wodonga Terminal Station and have the capacity to meet the evening peak demand needs of 140,000 households each year. The project will be located in the existing industrial estate in Baranduda Drive would occupy approximately 17 hectares directly adjacent to the Ausnet Wodonga Terminal Station (in Baranduda).
The project aims to store and release energy to complement household rooftop solar, and help stabilise the electricity grid and reduce power prices, benefiting local residents, businesses and industry in North East Victoria, Southern New South Wales and beyond.
Last year, the Development Facilitation Program was expanded to include renewable energy projects. Since then, more than $1 billion worth of renewable energy projects have been fast-tracked.
Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy and Resources said renewable energy is the cheapest form of new build energy available.
For more information, www.planning.vic.gov.au
