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Enormous opportunities for a Victoria powered by clean energy

The Clean Energy Council says that the Victorian Government's Climate Change Strategy is an investment in the future.

Under the strategy announced on Sunday, all government operations, from schools and hospitals to police stations and metro trains, will be powered with 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025.

The state has also set interim emissions reduction targets of 28-33 per cent of 2005 levels by 2025 and 45-50 per cent by 2030.

Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane Thornton said that the strategy would send the right message to the renewable energy industry and builds on the existing renewable energy targets and previous commitments to develop the electricity network.

"There are enormous opportunities ahead as Victoria shifts from a state that was heavily reliant on brown coal to one that is powered by clean, reliable and low-cost energy," he said.

"Reducing emissions through all government operations will be key in reaching emissions reduction targets and encouraging further investment in clean energy infrastructure.

"The Victorian Clean Economy Skills and Jobs Taskforce will also be critical to ensuring that a skilled workforce exists to realise the state's emissions reduction ambition.

"The renewable energy sector has been doing the heavy lifting, and with the investment in the state's renewable energy zones, we have the opportunity to go faster still than already targeted by the state government.

"An accelerated transition to renewables can then support the decarbonisation efforts of other sectors, including transport and industry."

With transport currently the second-largest and fastest-growing source of emissions in the state, the Clean Energy Council said that subsidies to help more Victorians get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle (EV) is a positive move.

"Knowing that more charging infrastructure is on the way sends the right message to potential buyers, and renewable energy will play a crucial role to support the roll out of electric vehicles and to enable a zero-emission electric vehicle fleet," said Thornton.

ENDS

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Jane Aubrey
Clean Energy Council Media Manager
[email protected]
+61 409 470 683