Our 'solar city' taking shape - $50 000 study grant

Member for Northern Victoria,
Jaclyn Symes announces
clean energy grants.

Shepparton, in the Goulburn Valley, has long been known, in some circles as the “Solar City” and a State Government announcement today could see that bolstered in a truly practical way.

The Murchison based GV Community Energy (GVCE) has been handed a $50 000 grant to advance the Tatura Energy Future project and determine the viability of a large-scale (up to 30 MW) PV installation at one of three potential sites.

GV Community Energy CEO, Geoff Lodge, said that should they be able to demonstrate the viability of the project and see it go ahead, then it would easily be Victoria’s largest PV installation.

The grant to GVCE was announced today by the Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, who said the Andrews Labor Government has confirmed the first group of successful recipients of its $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund grants with Northern Victoria to receive nearly $300,000 in funding.

Other projects to be funded include $80 000 to Wodonga City Council for a community solar project; $50 000 to the Euroa Environment Group to prepare a business case for the Strathbogie/Seymour Energy Alliance Pumped Hydroelectric Storage project; and $100 000 to the Wangaratta Government Centre to fund a study into a clean energy project.

Mr Lodge said the GVCE study would be completed largely by existing staff with just minor input from others in specialist areas.

He said that the study would be completed with an end user in mind, who would be a part of the conversation.

He said today the work starts “now” and would be completed just as quickly as possible.

Ms Symes said the GVCE, Wodonga, Euroa, Wangaratta projects are four of 24 grants announced state-wide and it is exciting that the Northern Victoria grant recipients provided innovative ideas for projects that support a clean energy future and help position Victoria as a leader in new energy technologies.

“I look forward to working with these groups, we are determined to grow clean energy jobs and business opportunities that benefit our local communities in country Victoria,” Ms Symes said.

“We’re proud to be rebuilding much needed confidence in the renewable energy industry following the neglect of the former Liberal National Government at both state and federal levels over recent years.”

Ms Symes said the fund is a key component of the Labor Government’s $200 million Future Industries Fund to support high growth, high value industries, such as the new energy technologies sector that are critical to securing Victoria’s future as a competitive, innovative and outward looking economy.