PREMIER Daniel Andrews unveiled the state government’s renewable energy policy in Portland on Friday morning, a policy which promises to create hundreds of new jobs in the sector.
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The Premier and energy, resources and industry minister Lily D’Ambrosio made the announcement at wind tower manufacturer Keppel Prince, which is expected to benefit from the “roadmap”.
The policy sets out key priority areas for the sector which include a renewable energy target of no less than 20 per cent by 2020, creating a $20 million clean energy jobs fund and using the government’s purchasing power to support the creation of new jobs.
There is also an initiative to to source renewable energy certificates from new projects in Victoria, bringing forward around $200 million of new investment.
Keppel Prince general manager Steve Garner said it would guarantee work and mean his business could create at least 40 new jobs by years end, with a vision to build the workforce back up to previous levels over the coming years.
The Premier also toured the Port Of Portland, where he heard about the steady growth of the facility over the past decade and spruiked the Murray Basin Rail project, which will increase the port’s catchment area and allow greater access to the rail freight network.