The Victorian Government's announcement to adopt a reverse-auction mechanism in order to achieve 40% of electricity generation through renewable energy by 2025 was welcomed by ACT Minister for the Environment and Climate Change Simon Corbell.
Mr Corbell welcomed the decision to procure 5400MW of renewable energy as a big step forward for the renewables sector in Australia, which he said would create a wealth of new opportunities for Canberra-based renewable energy companies such as Windlab, Neoen, RES Energy and CWP Renewables.
"By using a reverse auction process to lock in long-term renewable energy contracts, Victoria has followed the ACT's lead and sent a strong signal to other states and territories that this is the best approach, as it achieves the best value for money and local benefits for the community," Mr Corbell said.
"We have seen Australian company Windlab set up their global operations hub in Canberra as a result of our first wind auction. Neoen, RES Energy and CWP Renewables have also based Australian operations centres in Canberra following their successful bids in our first and second reverse wind auctions.
"With these companies having already established their Australian operations in Canberra as an outcome of our reverse auction processes, we can expect more opportunities for growth in jobs, infrastructure and knowledge in the ACT as a result of today's announcement by Victoria.
"The announcement will be welcome news for these Canberra-based companies, who I expect will be well placed to explore the opportunities created by this latest investment in Australian renewable energy."
Over the past five years, renewable energy-related jobs have grown six times faster in the ACT than any other state or territory in the nation, and twelve times faster than the national average.
"The renewable energy sector has reacted very positively to our reverse auction processes in the ACT, and as a result we have seen a great increase in local renewable energy jobs, technology and knowledge," Mr Corbell said.
Mr Corbell has previously called on states and territories to adopt a renewable energy implementation model similar to the ACT's reverse auction scheme, including during the COP21 Paris Summit and in an address to the Australian Clean Energy Summit last year.
"I am very pleased to see other states and territories beginning to pick up on the strong messages the ACT has been sending in regard to the potential growth in jobs, skills and investment as a result of adopting a proactive approach to renewable energy targets," Mr Corbell said.
"I would like to congratulate the Victorian Government on this announcement, and I look forward to seeing other states and territories adopt similar targets as we move closer to the business end of international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, which was signed earlier this year."
