Victorian Government to build two solar plants to fuel Melbourne’s tram network

TWO solar plants will be built to power Melbourne’s tram network, while household energy prices will be cut according to a state government plan.

A tram in Melbourne's CBS

THE ANDREWS government will build two new solar plants to power Melbourne’s tram network.

Bannerton Solar Park, near Robinvale, won a tender to provide 100 megawatts of solar energy for Melbourne’s trams.

The Numurkah Solar farm will generate another 38 megawatts for the network.

Premier Daniel Andrews also announced the biggest renewable energy auction in Australia- where providers will bid to provide enough electricity to power 389,000 new homes.

The lowest bidder wins the reverse auction.

Mr Andrews said the auction will bring $1.3 billion in investment and 1250 construction jobs.

Legislation, introduced to Parliament today, will mandate Victoria’s renewable energy targets to 25 per cent at 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025.

The government says the renewable energy target will mean a cut to energy prices by $30 per average household.

But the state government has so far refused to release the modelling its figures are based on.

Read more: HOW TO CATCH A TRAM IN MELBOURNE

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