The Victorian government of Australia has announced a $370m investment to construct a large-scale solar and BESS farm capable of powering over 50,000 homes.
Premier Jacinta Allan revealed the project, named the SEC Renewable Energy Park, in Horsham, western Victoria. It marks the first state-owned energy initiative since the electricity grid was privatised in the 1990s.
The project will feature a 119 MW solar farm and a 100 MW two-hour battery near Horsham’s substation and transmission lines.
Originally secured at a government renewable energy auction in 2022, the contract was later taken over by the State Electricity Commission (SEC), which added the battery component.
Expected to generate 242,000 MWh annually from 2027, the park will operate for 30 years. “That can support 51,000 homes – roughly five times the size of Horsham,” Allan said.
The SEC will retain full ownership, ensuring all profits are reinvested into renewable energy projects. A community fund will also allocate $70,000 annually to Horsham once the project becomes operational.
Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio highlighted the SEC’s broader mission, which includes a $1bn investment to deliver 4.5 GW of renewable energy, offsetting the planned 2035 closure of the coal-fired Loy Yang A power station.
The SEC’s first project was a $245m investment in a battery farm in Melbourne.
However, opposition leaders questioned the project’s ability to reduce electricity costs. Deputy Liberal leader David Southwick criticised the government for lacking a clear strategy to lower prices during a cost-of-living crisis.
