GV Community Energy endorses 'good start' on renewable goal

(Today’s Shepparton News reports on a local response to the Victoria Government’s ambitious renewable energy targets in a story headed: “Renewable energy goal ‘good start’)

A local energy sector leader has applauded the Victorian Government’s announcement of ambitious renewable energy targets.

Geoff Lodge (front) talking with
Tatura's Terry Court.

Last week, the government said by 2020, it wanted 25 per cent of electricity generated in the state to come from renewable energy, and 40 per cent by 2025.

GV Community Energy chief executive Geoff Lodge said the news was ‘‘quite a monumental shift for the good’’.

‘‘I’m impressed. Sure, the devil is in the detail but it’s a very good start, a significant leap forward and I’m impressed with their initiative,’’ he said.

‘‘I think this is part of a significant tipping point but the challenge will be making sure these are followed through.

‘‘If you were going to script this, this is how you’d start the story.’’

Mr Lodge said about 14 per cent of the Goulburn Valley’s electricity came from renewable sources.

‘‘We’re certainly well placed for more penetration because of our solar resource,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re not well equipped for wind — only in specific areas — but the sun is very good.’’

Mr Lodge said the announcement was a positive step in working towards a transition to base load energy production from renewable sources.

‘‘There is a recurring criticism that renewable energy cannot provide a base load,’’ he said.

‘‘When you’ve got an integrated grid, the penetration rates increase and it increases the likelihood of being able to have reliable base grade power.

‘‘Today we can’t do it, but we’re not talking today, we’re talking moving forward to 2020, 2030 and 2050.’’

The government said by 2025, it was expected that up to 5400 megawatts of new large-scale renewable energy capacity would be built in Victoria, representing an estimated $2.5 billion of investment in the state.

It said that could create more than 4000 additional jobs in the renewable energy sector during the expected peak year of construction in 2024, and about a 12 per cent reduction in electricity sector greenhouse emissions by 2034-35.

Premier Daniel Andrews also announced an auctions scheme which will see project developers compete to be the lowest cost provider.

‘‘The world is shifting to renewable energy — it creates jobs, drives growth, and protects our environment — and Victorians want to be at the forefront of that,’’ he said