The Victorian Government has announced a $370 million investment in the State Electricity Commission’s (SEC) Horsham Renewable Energy Park, featuring a solar farm and battery system.
This marks the second major project by the revitalised SEC, and the first fully government-owned energy generator in Victoria since the privatisation of the state’s electricity system in the 1990s.
Premier Jacinta Allan announced the project, highlighting its capacity to produce 242,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually — enough to power 51,000 homes, or five times the number of households in Horsham.
The Park will include a 119 megawatt solar farm and a 100 megawatt, two-hour battery, developed in partnership with OX2.
“We’re building our future with the SEC – creating jobs, reducing bills and delivering reliable renewable energy across the state,” Allan said.
“Bringing back the State Electricity Commission is all about giving power and profit back to the people.”
The initiative is part of the SEC’s broader $1 billion investment plan to accelerate Victoria’s renewable energy capacity, aiming to deliver 4.5 gigawatts of new energy and storage—enough to power 1.5 million homes.
The Renewable Energy Park is expected to create 246 construction jobs, including roles for apprentices, trainees, and cadets.
A community benefits fund will channel $42,000 annually into local initiatives during construction and $70,000 each year once operational.
Set to go online in 2027, the Park will supply affordable renewable electricity to Victorian schools, hospitals, and government offices.
This follows the SEC’s first project, the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (MREW), a 600-megawatt battery now halfway through construction. Once operational in 2025, it will store enough power for 200,000 homes during peak periods.
According to the Government, profits from the SEC’s projects will be reinvested into further renewable energy developments, expanding Victoria’s wind, solar, and battery storage capacities and ensuring energy security for the state.
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