Victoria adopts final plan for new renewable zones, transmission links
The government of the Australian state of Victoria has released the final version of its 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan, which contains plans for six renewable energy zones (REZ) and a shoreline zone for offshore wind connections, along with proposed transmission infrastructure through 2040.
The final plan was released on Sunday, ahead of a six-week consultation period during which the government will collect community feedback before a zone is officially declared. The consultations will be initiated in the coming weeks.
The six REZs are set out for the South West, the Central Highlands, the Central North, Gippsland, the North West, and the West. The latter combines the Grampians Wimmera and Wimmera Southern Mallee zones that were proposed in the draft version of the 2025 plan.
Additionally, the boundaries of the proposed Gippsland Shoreline REZ have been slightly changed and it is set to be located between the Gippsland coast, near the towns of Woodside and Giffard, and the South Gippsland Highway. The specific zone is not intended to host any onshore wind or solar projects and will only be used for laying underground cables and other infrastructure facilities that will link future offshore wind farms to the state’s electricity network. It will be split into designated areas where offshore wind export cables are allowed to cross the shore.
The final plan also identifies the need for four new transmission lines and upgrades within existing terminal stations that will be required to support future capacity within the REZ.
VicGrid, the Victorian government agency tasked with planning and developing the state’s renewable energy zones, is coordinating work related to the REZ establishment process. By 2040, it is planning for 5.7 GW-9.6 GW of new onshore wind, 9 GW of new offshore wind, 2.3 GW-8.9 GW of new utility-scale solar, and 4.8 GW-7.7 GW of new short and long-duration storage capacity.
More information: https://renewablesnow.com/news/victoria-adopts-final-plan-for-new-renewable-zones-transmission-links-1280282/
