The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny, Minister for Planning (Vic), Media Release, 29 May 2026

The Allan Labor Government is bringing down power bills by fast-tracking renewable energy projects. 

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny has recently approved a further $2.4 billion in projects through the Development Facilitation Program (DFP).

This will add enough battery storage to power more than half a million homes during peak demand.

The latest approvals include:

• $1.3 billion Morwell Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) (Latrobe Valley) – powering 344,000 homes during peak demand.
• $600 million Nine Mile BESS (near Geelong) – Stages 1 and 2 powering 172,000 homes during peak demand.
• $388 million Gelliondale Wind Farm (Gippsland) – generating enough energy for 49,000 homes annually, plus battery storage for 14,000 homes during peak demand.
• $130 million Chivers Road BESS (Glenrowan) – powering 34,500 homes during peak demand.

The DFP pathway is about making good decisions faster and projects continue to undergo rigorous planning assessments, agency referrals and consultation.

These approvals mean more than 30 projects worth $11 billion have been approved through the DFP over the past two years – accelerating cleaner, cheaper energy.

Together they have capacity to power 800,000 homes each year and battery storage to power 2.6 million homes during evening peaks.

These projects will create more than 3,800 jobs across construction and operations.

Before the DFP, more than one in five energy applications were delayed at VCAT.

The Liberals have promised to rip up the DFP and renewable energy projects that are driving down power prices. 

Labor’s investments in renewable energy mean Victoria consistently has the lowest wholesale power prices in the country – bringing online even more renewable energy will ensure prices stay low into the future. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny 

“We’re making good decisions faster so Victorians can benefit from cheaper renewable energy sooner.” 

“Labor is bringing renewables projects online. The Liberals will cut them, cut jobs and push up power prices.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio 

“You don’t bring prices down by cutting energy projects – but that’s exactly what the Liberals want to do.” 

“These projects will shore up Victoria’s energy supply and drive power prices down.”