Victoria has set targets of reaching 65% renewable energy by 2030 and 95% by 2035. These targets are commendable and represent an essential element of the state’s response to the climate crisis. Because much of the state’s best wind and solar resources do not overlap with the previously dominant source of electricity (ie. Latrobe Valley brown coal generators), Victoria’s transition to renewable energy requires the timely construction of new transmission lines to enable wind and solar farms in other parts of the state to connect to the grid. Delays to transmission means delays to wind/solar projects, which keeps Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions high, contributing to greater climate impacts.
