Agriculture
16 May, 2025
Renewable energy zones announced, plan to double one line
Parts of the Loddon Shire have been included in the draft north-west rewable energy zone announced this afternoon. VicGrid's Victorian Transmission Plan also proposes a high-capacity double circuit line. on the Bendigo-Kerang powerline by 2023. The...
Parts of the Loddon Shire have been included in the draft north-west rewable energy zone announced this afternoon.
VicGrid's Victorian Transmission Plan also proposes ahigh-capacity doublecircuit line.on the Bendigo-Kerang powerline by 2023.
The State Government agency said: "If you’re a landholder in a renewable energy zone, you can choose whether to host new wind or solarfarms on your property - it’s your decision and we encourage landholders to discuss this with theirneighbours. All proposed projects will continue to be subject to planning and environmental approval
processes.The seven proposed onshore renewable energy zones identified in the plan were chosen for theirsuitability to host renewable energy projects, taking into account feedback from communities,landholders, Traditional Owners, the quality of wind and solar resources, existing land uses and howprojects can connect to the grid.
"Projects inside renewable energy zones will be required to contribute to Renewable Energy ZoneCommunity Energy Funds, which have been subject to public consultation and will be finalised before
the publication of the final Victorian Transmission Plan. These funds will be in addition to benefitsprovided by individual proponents.
Projects outside of a final renewable energy zone will also be required to meet standards of communityengagement and benefits set out by the government and will be subject to a Grid Impact Assessment.As part of this assessment, the project must prove it will not have a negative impact on other projectsinside the zone by limiting their generation and taking up capacity on the grid."
The north-west zone includes areas near Boort that have been identified for potental wind farms.
The controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line will also run through the zone.
FULL REPORTS IN THURSDAY'S LODDON HERALD