Al Gore backs Victoria’s Renewable Energy Action Plan

Victorian network crash could have been avoided with higher battery storage levels.

Former US vice president Al Gore recently helped launch Victoria’s Renewable Energy Action Plan.

The plan will deliver $146 million in funding to speed the state’s transition to a clean economy.

Mr Gore was in Australia promoting An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,  the follow-up to the 2006 documentary An Inconvenient Truth.

The two films document the former vice-president’s crusade to warn the world about the dangers of human-induced climate change.

Along with Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio, Mr Gore met with senior representatives of other states and territories.

Victoria aims for zero emissions by 2050

The discussion focused on how states could join Victoria in transitioning the economy to net zero emissions by 2050 and explore opportunities for interstate collaboration.

Mr Gore and Ms D’Ambrosio announced the initiative after taking a ride on one of Melbourne’s trams. The city’s trams  will eventually be powered by 100 per cent solar energy.

Speaking to the media, Mr Gore said, “This is the largest tram network in the entire world, and is now going to be running entirely on solar energy.

“That’s fantastic, and I predict that it will become a symbol of the renewable energy revolution worldwide.”

Funding to provide more renewable energy

The Victorian Government plans to add 192 MW of new wind capacity and 125 MW of large-scale solar energy by the end of 2018.

The Renewable Energy Action Plan will provide $48.1 million for renewable energy certificate purchasing. Twenty per cent of this will be dedicated to future solar energy projects.

Furthermore, $25 million will go towards developing up to 40 MW of grid-scale battery storage systems in the state’s west by 2018.

In addition, $15.8 million dollars will go towards smart software systems, solar and battery storage micro grid initiatives.

“This funding represents the most significant government investment in renewable energy in Victoria’s history,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“The Renewable Energy Action Plan will help us deliver affordable, sustainable and reliable energy for Victoria. We need to ensure that the new energy technology sector is equipped to create jobs, attract investment and grow the economy for the benefit of all Victorians – and we’re doing just that.”

The Victorian Government has set renewable energy generation targets of 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025.

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