For immediate release, 16 May 2025
Victorian rural and regional communities have more certainty about the shift to renewables, with the release of the draft Victorian Transmission Plan – but more engagement is needed.
The Victorian Government’s draft Transmission Plan, released today, is a 15-25 year plan for what Victoria's Renewable Energy Zones and transmission could be.
The Renewable Energy Alliance (RE-Alliance), an independent not-for-profit working for more than a decade with regional communities at the centre of the shift to renewables, says this plan could offer some much-needed certainty for Victorians.
RE-Alliance National Director Andrew Bray said: “What we hear from rural and regional leaders in Victoria is that people in the regions generally support the shift to renewable energy – but there has been a lot of uncertainty about how this shift will happen and what it means for each community.
“The draft Victorian Transmission Plan gives Victorians some clearer direction but the key to its success will be further engagement to finalise the Plan. VicGrid needs to have a greater presence in key regions and clearly state how they will work with communities to incorporate local knowledge and feedback as they take their next steps.
“Communities can now review the plan, including the Community and First Peoples Partnership Guidelines and the Community and Industry Engagement Guidelines, and provide feedback on the work done to date.”
The draft 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan is open for public consultation until Tuesday 10 June 2025. VicGrid is seeking feedback from First Peoples, landholders, communities and industry. For more information about engagement opportunities, how to provide feedback about this draft and how feedback will be taken into account and shape decisions as the plan is finalised, visit engage.vic.gov.au/vicgrid.
RE-Alliance, alongside partners Community Power Agency and Yes2Renewables, has been calling on the Federal Government to fund Local Energy Hubs in key renewable energy regions.
“With so many government agencies and private companies involved in the shift to clean energy, communities are telling us they need a source of trusted information that can answer their questions as they navigate new renewable energy, battery storage and transmission developments. Local Energy Hubs could provide this,” said Mr. Bray.
“These hubs would be physical centres with a strong outreach program, staffed by independent local experts to help build trust and provide accurate information about what’s happening,” he said.
More information on the Local Energy Hubs model can be found at: localenergyhubs.org.au.
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For media inquiries and interview requests please contact Cait Coffey-Wong on 0457451867 or [email protected]
About RE-Alliance: The Renewable Energy Alliance (RE-Alliance) is an independent not-for-profit working to deliver a responsible and rapid shift to renewable energy that actively contributes to the strength and resilience of our regions.