An environmental group is demanding that government funding earmarked for a new coal fired power station in Victoria be redirected to the construction of Mallee Solar Park; a 180 MW solar panel based power station.
The Victorian government has already committed to provide $100 million to help construct the solar farm, to be located south of Mildura. At the time the funding was announced last year, Victoria’s Minister for Energy and Resources Peter Batchelor said the state government’s show of support made the project a “stand-out” for further cash from the Commonwealth’s Solar Flagship Program.
However, Mallee Solar Park recently missed out on Federal funding in Round 1 of the program.
According to a report on ABC Gippsland, Melbourne based Friends Of The Earth says there is no need for Mallee Solar Park to be delayed - the government should simply re-route $150 million in public funding set aside for a coal fired power station in Victoria.
The new HRL coal fired power station is to be constructed in Morwell. The project was given the nod even though over 4,000 objections were submitted to the EPA in regard to the plant, whereas submissions of support were fewer than a dozen.
In November last year, the Greens pledged to block construction of the plant and to divert the funds into renewable energy projects.
Victoria has the unpleasant distinction of being Australia’s most greenhouse gas intensive state in relation to electricity generation emissions, largely due to its reliance on burning brown coal - the filthiest of fossil fuels. Victoria is also home to what is widely recognised as the most emissions intensive power station in the world - Hazelwood.
According to activist group Switch Off Coal, the new power station will increase electricity generation related emissions in the state by up to three percent.
