Australia’s clean energy transition is gaining momentum thanks to the Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) scheme. One notable example is the 130MWdc Glenrowan Solar Farm, located a few kilometers southwest of Glenrowan, Victoria. This expansive farm sits on land that was once used for grazing, now harnessing the sun’s power to benefit the community.
The farm spans 226,000 solar panels, which are moved by nearly 2,150 advanced trackers. These trackers adjust to maximize sunlight or reposition during bad weather, ensuring the farm continues generating energy even in less-than-ideal conditions.
The Glenrowan Solar Farm is a clear example of the potential for growing renewable energy production in Australia. It’s also part of a larger, crucial goal: reaching 100% renewable electricity for all Victorian government operations by 2025.
The success of the Glenrowan Solar Farm underscores the achievements of the VRET policy, which was launched in 2017. Initially, the VRET aimed for 650MW of renewable energy but surpassed expectations by delivering 928MW. In 2022, a second VRET auction aimed to add another 600MW of energy projects, with stronger requirements to ensure projects can connect smoothly to Australia’s grid.
The VRET auctions aim to meet Victoria’s renewable energy targets by offering long-term contracts that provide investment certainty for new energy projects. Six projects were funded in the second auction, VRET2, bringing 623MW of renewable capacity and 365MW of new battery energy storage systems (BESS).
VRET2 is expected to create 920 direct jobs and attract AU$1.48 billion (US$910 million) in investment in new renewable energy projects in Victoria. These projects also prioritize local content.
The Glenrowan Solar Farm is one of the six successful projects funded by VRET2. After just over a year of operation, the farm is already demonstrating how these initiatives will help Victoria meet its renewable energy goals of 40% by 2025 and 50% by 2030. Moreover, it is providing economic benefits to rural communities.
Since its completion in December 2023, Glenrowan has created 125 full-time jobs and is generating enough renewable energy to power around 50,000 homes. This success is in line with the broader VRET2 objectives, with AU$1 billion expected to be spent in local supply chains during construction due to local content requirements.
Array Technologies, the company responsible for supplying solar trackers for the Glenrowan project, is also playing a key role in Australia’s renewable energy future. It became the first solar tracker company to set up local manufacturing operations to support such projects in Australia. By collaborating with Australian steel manufacturers, Array produced trackers using locally sourced steel—a significant achievement for the industry.
Looking ahead, Array will be involved in developing a second project under the VRET2 program. This will drive additional economic growth and environmental benefits to other states, replicating the success of Glenrowan.
The VRET scheme marks a crucial step in fostering the growth of Australia’s renewable energy manufacturing sector. As Australia leads the way in the global energy transition, embracing the Victorian government’s commitment to 100% renewable consumption for its operations by 2025 is essential.
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