New Report Shows Renewable Energy Potential

AUSTRALIA – Victoria’s significant renewable energy potential has again been confirmed with the release of a new report.

Minister for Energy and Resources Peter Batchelor said the report, completed by Sinclair Knight Merz on behalf of the Brumby Labour Government, assessed if Victoria’s future energy needs could be entirely met from renewable energy sources.

“Our Government is committed to helping Victoria shift to a low-carbon economy,” he said.

“For nearly a century, Victoria has relied heavily on coal, oil and gas to supply us with relatively cheap but highly polluting energy. Now, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions while our demand for energy continues to grow.

“As we begin this transformation, this new report confirms that Victoria is well placed to seize the opportunities that will arise, creating new skills, new jobs, new investments and new ways of making and using energy.

“The report, Renewable Resources Victoria: the renewable energy potential of Victoria, assessed the raw renewable potential from a range of sources, including wave, geothermal, wind and solar.

“The report examined if Victoria had the renewable resources to physically produce enough energy to meet all our energy needs from renewables and the answer is yes.”

However, Mr Batchelor said while this report confirmed Victoria’s renewable resource potential, our transformation to a low-carbon economy would take time and would need to also consider the accompanying impacts.

“Technology for harnessing some of these resources is still in its infancy and very expensive. In addition, as technologies develop new infrastructure will be needed and must be appropriately managed and located to take into account social and environmental impacts,” he said.

Mr Batchelor said the report was based on a similar UK study which found that in the UK it was unlikely they could generate sufficient renewable energy to meet their consumption needs.

“This report shows Victoria has better renewable potential than the UK which is great news,” he said.

Releasing the report in Jan Juc, Mr Batchelor said this was an appropriate location because the south-west had the potential to be a renewable energy hub.

“The report highlights the area has strong potential for wind, wave and geothermal energy developments,” he said.

Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield said there was already progress being made with the use of renewable resources in the south-west.

“If they can be further developed it will be great news for the region because it will provide new jobs and investment,” he said.