The Albanese Government has approved the Muskerry Solar Power Station, a 250-megawatt (MW) solar farm with 200MW battery storage, to be built 30km northeast of Bendigo.
Once operational, the project will generate enough renewable energy to power 118,000 Victorian homes.
The fast-tracked approval, completed in just 20 business days, underscores the government’s commitment to making Australia a renewable energy superpower.
Featuring approximately 500,000 solar panels connected to existing transmission infrastructure, the project is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 495,000 tonnes annually, equivalent to removing 155,000 cars from the road for a year.
In addition to environmental benefits, the project will support up to 350 construction jobs and 10 ongoing roles, delivering an economic boost to the region.
According to Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water, careful site selection and design have ensured minimal environmental impact, aligning with government standards for sustainable development.
“The renewable energy transition is real, it’s happening right now. And it’s the only plan supported by experts to deliver clean, affordable and reliable power,” she said.
“Australians have a choice between a renewable energy transition that’s already underway and driving down prices, or paying for an expensive nuclear fantasy that would deliver around 4 per cent of our energy needs and add 1.7 billion tonnes to Australia’s carbon emissions.”
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