Victoria‘s Energy Minister Michael O’Brien says the State Government will not commit any further funding for two major Mildura solar projects in the north-west.
Mr. O’Brien has confirmed $50 million for the Silex-Solar Systems photovoltaic development and $100 million to the proposed Mallee Solar Park.
The undertaking makes good on the funding commitments of the previous government to the projects, despite criticism from the auditor-general on due diligence done at the time.
The auditor also noted significant risks the Mallee Solar Park development might request further funds but Mr. O’Brien says there will be no further commitment.
“The funding that the previous government put on the table and the Baillieu Government has agreed to match is a very significant amount of taxpayers’ money and we don’t think there is any argument for increasing that,” he said.
“We think the company does have a very good proposal but it is ultimately up to the company to make sure its proposal and its numbers stack up.
“We would expect any business in Victoria to stick by its commitments to the Government - they have said this project can be operational at a certain level of State Government support and subject to Federal Government funding, so we certainly would not be expecting any companies to be coming back to us in the future.”
TRUenergy’s Mallee Solar Park development is yet to secure necessary federal funds.
Mr. O’Brien says he would be disappointed if the project’s chances are harmed by the previous government’s poor practices.
“What I am hoping is that the company has done its homework even where the state Labor government hadn’t and that the Federal Government will look at that work that the proponents have done, TRUenergy, and see that the proposal is a very good one on its merits and it does deserve federal support,” he said.
