WIND and solar farm speculators could have to meet new standards under new draft community engagement guidelines.
VicGrid last Thursday released a list of 48 expectations that chief executive officer Alistair Parker said were “about setting the standards of behaviour we want to see from solar, wind and battery developers in Victoria”.
Renewable energy project promoters have been criticised by councils, farmers and communities for what has been labelled poor community engagement.
Australian Energy Market Operator was under fire for its consultation on the route of the proposed VNI West renewable transmission line through the Loddon Shire.
And opponents of wind and solar proposals in the Pyramid Hill district were told last month that the wind and solar companies current approach to engagement risked dividing communities.
Under Mr Parker’s plan, guidelines will set out how companies wanting to operate in renewable energy zones must engage communities and ensure there is local awareness of their proposals.
“Developers who want to access the grid will need to show they are doing the right thing by regional communities and meeting government standards for community engagement and benefits,” Mr Parker said.
 “Developers will need to demonstrate how they will meet these expectations as a condition of being granted access to the grid in Victoria. 
“These expectations cover a lot of the things communities have been telling us are of concern to them including impacts on neighbours, non-disclosure agreements, insurance, and decommissioning.”
VicGrid last week also released for community and industry feedback proposed new rules that will manage how renewable energy projects gain access to the state’s transmission network:
Access and Connections Consultation Paper: an overview of the proposed new network access arrangements including proposed transitional arrangements for projects under development.  
Draft Grid Impact Assessment (GIA) Guidelines: details of the assessment that will apply to projects outside renewable energy zones. 
“These reforms are all part of the Victorian Access Regime and aim to encourage development in renewable energy zones and increase transparency about what projects must do to gain access,” Mr Parker said.
Multiple companies have had some engagement with landowners in the Boort and Pyramid Hill districts on plans for wind and solar farms.
A company wanting to erected an estimated 200 turbines at Merring West has met with some landowners and is sponsoring sporting groups in Boort and Kerang.