The Victorian government has announced a $370 million investment in constructing a large-scale solar and battery farm. This marks the first state-owned energy initiative since the privatisation of the electricity grid in the 1990s.
SEC to Develop 119MW Solar and Battery Farm in Horsham
The SEC Renewable Energy Park project will feature a 119-megawatt (MW) solar facility and a 100MW two-hour battery near the Horsham substation and an existing transmission line. The Horsham Renewable Energy Park, the second project to receive financial backing from the State Energy Commission, will be entirely government-owned.
Originally, the Horsham Solar Farm project was awarded in a Victorian government renewable energy auction in 2022 but had yet to begin construction when SEC assumed control of the contract. The Horsham Community Benefits Fund will receive $42,000 annually during construction, increasing to $70,000 once the project becomes operational in 2027.
Solar and Battery Farm to Power 50,000+ Homes
The solar and battery farm in regional Victoria is expected to power over 50,000 homes. The Horsham Solar farm is the second project to receive financial backing from the State Energy Commission and will be fully government-owned.
“This project can power 51,000 homes—about five times the size of Horsham. To put it in perspective, it could match the energy needs of a city like Bendigo,” said Jacinta Allan, Victorian Premier.
Solar Project to Generate 242,000 MWh Annually
The project is expected to produce 242,000 MWh of renewable energy annually once completed in 2027, with a 30-year lifespan. The government expanded the project's scope by adding a battery, allowing the solar farm to store energy and supply it to the grid during peak demand. The government-owned energy provider would help reduce power bills, lower emissions and create 60,000 jobs.