THE state government says it has provided much needed certainty for wind farm investors, project developers and suppliers despite a large south-west employer saying 150 jobs are under threat.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Garner said the contract would have ensured about 12 months work for 150 employees. He said the contract to build 25 towers at the Hawkesdale wind farm had also gone to the same overseas country and they needed the Woolsthorpe wind farm contract to maintain the workforce.
But a spokeswoman for the state government said Victoria's renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2030 had "provided much needed certainty for investors, project developers and suppliers."
"The Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) Auction supported 928 megawatts of new capacity and included strong local content requirements to ensure that Victorian manufacturers such as Keppel Prince benefit from the transition to clean energy - which created hundreds of jobs across our state," she said.
"A second VRET Auction will be launched in the coming months supporting at least 600 megawatts of new capacity, which will also create the next wave of jobs in manufacturing, engineering and the operation of solar and wind farms."
Wannon MP and Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan did not respond to The Standard's request of comment.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.