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Australia : Regional Growth Fund powers Mildura
Publish Date : 18-Oct-2013
The Victorian Coalition Government's $1 billion Regional Growth Fund will help power the new Balfour Beatty Investments Biomass Power Plant for Sunraysia, providing $3 million in support.
The money will go towards connecting the power station to the grid – which is expected to reduce costs to Mildura electricity users.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said he was proud to be reducing energy costs for the people of this great region – by bringing natural gas to Murray River communities; increasing gas supply to Mildura and supporting local power projects like the Biomass Power Plant.
"Electricity consumers in the Mildura region are currently charged a premium of approximately 15 per cent on the usage part of their bills, to allow for transmission losses. We understand that the new power plant, when completed, should provide sufficient power to the area to offset the transmission losses, thereby reducing the cost of power to all electricity consumers in the region," Mr Ryan said.
"Local horticulture growers will now have a new income stream, supplying 215,000 tonnes of material per year, as well as the associated work for truck drivers. Ash from the residue will be used as nutrient for crops.
"Furthermore, it is good news that project operators Balfour Betty Investments will work closely with Sunraysia TAFE, to develop courses and programs that involve practical experience within the technically advanced power plant. This will provide a springboard for higher value education in the region."
Mildura MP Peter Crisp said he was "over the moon" that the project would deliver both jobs and cheaper electricity to the people of Mildura.
"This project is a major win for our region," Mr Crisp said.
"This $174 million project will create 100 jobs in construction and 25 high-paying, full time jobs after that."
