October 21 (Renewables Now) – Ahead of state elections in Victoria in November, Victoria’s premier, Daniel Andrews, on Thursday promised that a re-elected Labor government will accelerate renewable energy targets.
He outlined plans to bring back public ownership of energy resources and replace privatised coal with government-owned renewable energy.
A re-elected government will make an initial investment of AUD 1 billion (USD 631m/EUR 643m) towards delivering 4.5 GW of renewable energy projects, in which the state will have a controlling interest, according to the announcement.
Labor plan to increase Victoria’s renewable energy target to 65% from the current goal of 50% by 2030 and achieve 95% by 2035. The plans also include setting an emissions reduction target of 75%-80% by 2035, and bringing the net zero emissions target five years earlier to 2045.
“Big energy companies want to offshore profits – we want to offshore wind. Renewable energy is the future: it’s good for our climate, good for lower power bills and good for jobs,” stated Andrews.
“We’ll bring power back into the hands of Victorians by creating government-owned energy – keeping bills down and the lights on,” he added.
(AUD 1.0 = USD 0.631/EUR 0.643)
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