Delivering cheap and reliable energy in Victoria

The Australian Government and Victorian Government are announcing the first stage of an agreement, supporting a key transmission project to deliver more affordable and reliable electricity for Victorians.

The governments will jointly underwrite early works to progress the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector (VNI) West project – with a preferred route known as KerangLink – for delivery by 2027.

VNI West will deliver an extra 1,800MW of capacity during peak demand periods and allow Victoria to export 1,930MW to New South Wales. The project will help maintain system security and reliability, while enabling more renewable energy to be connected to the grid.

The Hon Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, said this will create new jobs, put downward pressure on prices, and shore up grid reliability.

‘The VNI West project will play a crucial role in ensuring Victorians have access to the affordable and reliable electricity they need to power their lives,’ the Minister said.

The Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MLA, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, said this was a major win for Victoria’s regions, particularly the northwest. ‘KerangLink will be a renewable energy superhighway, creating a wave of new jobs right across the state.

‘This project will unlock more wind and solar power in Victoria than ever before, and is crucial action to address climate change.’

VNI West will support approximately 2,000 direct jobs during construction.