Boosting Wind Power And Renewable Jobs
The Andrews Labor Government is delivering Australia’s first offshore wind farms and the first of the estimated 59,000 jobs that will be created by 2035 as we transition from coal to clean renewables.
Coal-fired power stations are on the way out and renewable energy is the future – to keep the lights on, bring bills down and create thousands of jobs.
A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will bring back the State Electricity Commission as a government-owned renewable power company.
It’s part of our plan to deliver cleaner, cheaper energy, with all profits invested back into renewable energy – making sure it’s the Victorian public, not offshore coal companies, who enjoy the returns.
With an initial investment of $1 billion, we will deliver 4.5 gigawatts of renewable power – reaching 95 per cent renewable energy by 2035 and net zero by 2045.
Unreliable, privatised coal will be replaced by clean, government-owned, renewable energy – so we’re going to need a lot more of it.
That’s why the Andrews Labor Government is bringing online 2 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind by 2032 – enough to power 1.5 million homes – 4 GW by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040, creating thousands of jobs in the process.
Creating new offshore wind projects will also create demand for offshore wind workers.
That’s why a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will invest $6 million to create a purpose-built training centre for workers in our emerging offshore – and growing onshore – wind industry.
Based in Melbourne, the Wind Worker Training Centre will ensure we have the highly-skilled workforce we need for the industry to grow. This builds on our investment in the Australian-first Global Wind Organisation-certified training centre at Federation Uni in Ballarat.
Of course, a strong renewable energy sector is about more than offshore wind. The Andrews Labor Government is investing $2.9 million to place people looking for work into careers in renewable energy.
In partnership with the Latrobe Valley Authority and Solar Victoria, we’re creating 130 jobs in Gippsland and Melbourne’s south-east. The roles include working in solar hot water manufacturing, solar farm assembly and manufacturing renewable energy batteries.
New recruits and existing workers will learn invaluable skills like blade repair, lift commissioning and repair, controlling hazardous energies and enhanced first aid.
Victoria’s renewable energy sector is booming – but safety must always come first.
A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will commission a review into regulatory and licencing requirements for renewable energy systems – making sure the settings are keeping pace with emerging technologies to protect worker and community safety.
The Labor Government is also releasing the Offshore Wind Implementation Statement, with $76 million to plot a course for our ambitious offshore wind targets.
We will establish a new government body – Offshore Wind Energy Victoria – to provide streamlined support to accelerate this emerging sector.
The Port of Hastings has been selected as the preferred offshore wind construction port, bringing new industry and jobs to the surrounding regions.
While we’re building the new renewable power generators of the future, we need to ensure delivery of transmission infrastructure supports the development of offshore wind while minimising impacts on local communities and the environment and is cost-effective.
VicGrid will lead the development of the transmission for offshore wind to deliver the affordable and reliable power Victoria needs while ensuring the concerns and priorities of local communities are addressed.
Only Labor is doing what matters – replacing unreliable and privately-owned coal power with clean, government-owned renewable energy.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Offshore wind is a rapidly growing industry, delivering clean energy for Victorians and creating jobs. We’ll make sure the sector has the skilled workforce for the future by investing in training now.”
“Only Labor will ensure we have enough renewable energy to keep the lights on and household bills down – because only Labor is doing what matters.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio
“Today is the next step in delivering our nation-leading offshore wind targets, which will power millions of Victorian homes with clean energy and help us reach net zero by 2045.”
“That’s in stark contrast to Matthew Guy’s Liberals – who banned windfarms, sold off public power to greedy energy companies, cut jobs and drove up power prices, leaving Victorians in the lurch.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford
“You can’t trust Matthew Guy’s Liberals when it comes to Victorian jobs. The last time they were in government, they sacked thousands of workers, including TAFE teachers and health workers – and had the highest unemployment on the mainland.”
“Labor will make sure people who want long-term careers in fast-growing industries like renewable energy will play a central role in Victoria’s future.”
Quote attributable for the Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
"Renewable power is vital to the state’s future and we are working closely with industry, unions and TAFEs to get Victorians the skills they need for clean energy jobs."