LODDON communities have been put in the top tier for VicGrid investigations of future renewable energy generation and transmission infrastructure projects.
A large swathe of northern Victoria will be given priority in preparing the Victorian Transmission Plan.
VicGrid on Tuesday released draft plans to prepare the strategy over the next year, saying that tier one areas were based “on the combination of high opportunities and low constraints for wind and solar”.
The proposed VNI West renewable energy transmission line corridor is in the top tier. Loddon Shire is also part of a renewable energy zone.
“The guidelines explain how VicGrid will determine how much renewable energy is needed to be generated where and by when, what transmission projects are required and how we will partner with communities and industry to make these decisions,” VicGrid said.
“It also includes an initial study area, showing which parts of Victoria we will investigate further as we work with communities to find the best places to host future wind and solar generation.”
CEO Alistair Parker said community input would play a crucial role at this stage and throughout the process of developing the Victorian Transmission Plan.
“We are changing the way energy infrastructure is delivered in Victoria and early and meaningful engagement is at the heart of our approach,” Mr Parker said.
“We need the input of regional communities, farmers, landholders and first peoples so we can get this right for all Victorians, reduce impacts and deliver real benefits.
“While we’re starting our investigations broad, ultimately only a portion of the study area will be needed to host new energy infrastructure.
Areas south of Bendigo to Keilor and Melton have been excluded from wind projects while around Bendigo, the draft document says the district has been deprioritised in the plan.