Victoria

Renewables developer Enel Green Power Australia has confirmed that its 27 MW Cohuna Solar Farm in northern Victoria has resumed partial operations after being forced to shut down following a grassfire at the site last month.

The Marinus Link power cable to be built between Victoria and Tasmania is a step closer to reality after the Australian Energy Regulator approved the project’s first revenue proposal, marking the planned early works spend as “prudent and efficient.”

Renewable energy retailer SmartestEnergy Australia and Enel Green Power Australia have signed a long-term offtake agreement for the 93 MW Girgarre Solar Farm being developed in central Victoria.

The Capacity Investment Scheme South Australia-Victoria tender is now open for bids. Renewable energy storage projects must be located in either of the states and have a minimum storage duration of two hours and a minimum size of 30 MW.

Just days after a regulation to prevent new gas network connections to buildings in the Australian Capital Territory came into effect, the Victorian government has released updated plans designed to end that state’s reliance on fossil gas.

Victorian company United Solar Group, which is developing a floating 700 MW solar and 1.5 GWh battery project at the Poonakary Lake in Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka, has had a Power Purchase Agreement approved by the Sri Lankan cabinet.

Victorian network operator AusNet has commenced construction of a transmission network upgrade that is expected to reduce generation constraints and improve network stability in the state’s southwest, unlocking 1.5 GW of additional renewable energy generation capacity.

Another small-scale solar farm has connected to the grid in Victoria with developer Bison Energy announcing that the 4.95 MW Cosgrove Solar Farm near Shepperton has powered up, marking the commencement of its commissioning phase.

Planning permits have been granted to two large battery projects by Victoria’s planning department: the existing Elaine Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) by Akaysha Energy has been approved for expansion at its four-hour energy battery, and Flow Energy’s BESS project at Bennett’s Creek that will further transform the former coal country into a hub for 24/7 renewable energy.

The Victorian government will repay, with interest, electric vehicle owners who paid a road-user charge later deemed unconstitutional by Victoria’s High Court.