VicGrid has released its 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan outlining a long-term strategy to deliver affordable and reliable energy as coal-fired generation retires.
The plan, developed through extensive consultation, sets out the transmission infrastructure required over the next 15 years to connect new renewable energy projects to the grid.
It proposes the creation of six renewable energy zones (REZs), signalling to communities, landholders and industry where wind, solar and battery storage should be developed.
VicGrid chief executive Alistair Parker said the plan was designed to minimise impacts on landholders, regional communities and industries such as agriculture.
“The Victorian Transmission Plan will ensure an orderly energy transition and has been designed through consultation to minimise impacts on landholders, regional communities and crucial regional industries like agriculture,” he said.
VicGrid said the plan will support 67,000 jobs by 2040, enable new industries and underpin the state’s economic prosperity. Not implementing it would risk energy security, increase prices and cost the economy €9.6bn over 30 years, the agency added.
Following feedback on the draft plan published in May, VicGrid has adjusted the size and shape of zones and refined transmission projects, including changes to the South West and Central North REZs.
The Wimmera Mallee REZ has been expanded to allow more projects in development and will be combined with the Grampians Wimmera REZ as one Western REZ.
Feedback from communities and regional stakeholders about sensitive areas such as brolga habitats and irrigated farmland led to several removals from proposed zones, VicGrid said.
Industry stakeholders also advised that zone sizes and generation levels should allow technically and commercially viable renewable projects.
The proposed REZs cover around 7.9% of Victoria’s land area, with less than 1% required for infrastructure such as turbines, panels and access roads.
Landholders, communities and Traditional Owners will have another opportunity to provide feedback during a six-week consultation process before the zones are formally declared.