Approval has been fast-tracked for a new 330-megawatt solar farm near Geelong, set to provide clean and affordable energy for nearly 140,000 homes annually. The project also includes a proposed 250-megawatt battery energy storage system designed to meet peak evening electricity demand for over 86,000 homes.
The Barwon Solar Farm benefits from financial backing through a capacity investment scheme aimed at replacing aging coal-fired power generators with renewable energy and storage solutions. The development is part of a broader program that fast-tracks renewable energy projects to accelerate their construction and bring cleaner energy to the grid more quickly.
Since the program’s expansion in 2024 to include renewable energy and battery storage projects, ten projects have been approved with investments exceeding $2 billion. Collectively, these projects have the potential to power more than 320,000 households annually and provide battery storage capable of meeting peak evening demand for around 670,000 homes.
Previously, more than 20% of renewable energy project applications faced significant delays due to legal challenges, sometimes postponing projects by up to two years. The fast-track initiative aims to reduce such delays, ensuring faster access to affordable renewable power.
With Victoria already having the lowest wholesale electricity prices in the country, bringing additional renewable energy projects online will help maintain low energy costs in the future.