Latest news with #VicGrid
Perth Now
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
'When will insanity end': farmer fury over power play
Tractors have rolled down city streets as fired-up farmers slam proposed laws to enforce the roll out of hundreds of kilometres of power lines. Several hundred people packed the front steps of Victorian parliament on Wednesday as the lower house prepares to debate a controversial bill this week. Under the legislation, state government agency VicGrid would be granted powers to access private farmland to build transmission towers. It states authorised officers can use "reasonable force" with an entry order and people are banned from obstructing, hindering or delaying access. Fines of up to $12,000 for individuals and up to $48,000 for body corporates can be handed out if there is resistance. Protesters held signs reading "no government stooge on my land" and "hands off our land" as the state pushes on with network expansion to facilitate the transition to clean energy. VNI West, a second 240km transmission line between Victoria and NSW, has had its delivery date delayed two years to late 2030. A construction timeline for the 190km Western Renewables Link from Bulgana in Victoria's west to Sydenham in Melbourne's northwest has also been pushed back. The plans continue to face opposition despite the Victorian government committing to pay landowners $8000 a year for every kilometre of transmission infrastructure for 25 years. Gerald Feeny, a fourth-generation farmer from near St Arnaud in western Victoria's Wimmera region, said producers couldn't be bought off or bullied into submission. "(Premier) Jacinta Allan says she's a country girl," he said. "What country girl would bully and try to intimidate rural people, farmers on their own land?" Kanya farmer Marcia McIntyre said farms were for food not energy production and pondered "when will this insanity end". "After some horrendous lying, coercion and bullying from AEMO, (the government) have a revolt along the unnecessary VNI West transmission and WRL transmission lines," she said. "Instead of fixing the problem that they and their own agencies caused, they are just going to roll out some legislation to enforce their will on the people." The premier insisted laws already allowed private companies to enter farms and the proposed changes would "centralise" arrangements through VicGrid. "What we've seen by some of the private companies with the way they've engaged with landowners in some parts of our state hasn't been up to scratch," Ms Allan told reporters. "That's why we understand it needs to be better co-ordinated - we need to work with landowners and that's exactly what we'll do." Opposition Leader Brad Battin accused the Labor government of railroading farmers, who also fought tooth and nail to win a 12-month reprieve from an expanded emergency services levy. "We're not anti-renewable energy but you can't do it by bulldozing through people's properties," he said. Nationals Leader Danny O'Brien told the crowd the coalition would repeal the bill if passed and it wins the next state election in November 2026.
Sky News AU
01-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Two-year delay for VNI West sparks fresh doubts over Australia's renewable energy ambitions
Australia's shaky transition to clean energy has suffered a major blow, with the roughly $4 billion VNI West electricity interconnector project now delayed by two years – moving the delivery date from 2028 to late 2030. The postponement raises serious concerns over whether the Albanese government can meet its renewable energy targets, including a plan to double the grid's renewable share to 82 per cent by the end of the decade. The pressure is mounting as major coal plants like Victoria's Yallourn station are still on track to close in 2028, leaving a potential gap in supply. Stretching 240 kilometres across Victoria and New South Wales, the VNI West project is facing stiff resistance from landowners and farmers who have become increasingly vocal about the proposed route slicing through regional communities. Back in May, VicGrid – the agency overseeing the project on Victoria's end – told The Australian that delays for both VNI West and the Western Renewables Link were in part due to the challenge of earning 'social licence' among affected communities. The new timeline deepens concerns around the state's broader transition strategy, especially given the critical role of transmission in delivering new solar and wind generation from renewable energy zones in western Victoria and along the Murray River. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) says the delay reflects 'revised planning, design and construction assumptions' and allows for a more inclusive process with landowners. 'The new construction completion target allows more time for detailed environmental, geotechnical and cultural assessments, along with more meaningful landholder engagement on access and easement arrangements,' said Claire Cass from AEMO's Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) unit. 'We know this updated timeline may be frustrating, but we're committed to working with landholders respectfully and providing the support they need to consider what is best for them, their properties and farming or business operations.' The state government insists the delay won't impact reliability in the short term. 'AEMO has indicated the revised project timeline will not impact the reliability of Victoria's electricity network,' a government spokeswoman said. AEMO is expected to factor in the revised deadline in its upcoming Electricity Statement of Opportunities report due in August. The delay comes on the back of AEMO's recent warning in May, when it flagged a blowout in the cost of delivering $20 billion worth of transmission projects. These soaring costs – partly fuelled by skill shortages and growing resistance from rural communities – could add to household power bills. Overhead transmission line costs have spiked by as much as 55 per cent, while substation costs have surged up to 35 per cent, based on updated estimates from AEMO's 2024 modelling. The new 2030 timeline also aligns with the release of TCV's easement and access package for VNI West, set to be delivered directly to landowners along the proposed route. 'For the first time, landholders will receive detailed information about the project benefit payments they can receive, indicative property-specific impact compensation and field survey access terms,' Ms Cass said. TCV stressed that reviewing the documents or engaging with liaison officers did not mean landowners were endorsing the project. 'The approach simply provides landholders with more say on how the project may affect them and their properties, so that compensation accurately reflects the impact,' Ms Cass said. Meanwhile, AusNet – developer of the 190km Western Renewables Link – last week announced a new 'Near Neighbour' payment scheme, offering up to $40,000 to households within a kilometre of the planned infrastructure, in an attempt to ease opposition. 'The Near Neighbour Benefit Program was a recognition that neighbours have similar experiences to those landholders directly hosting infrastructure on their land,' AusNet said. Despite these financial sweeteners, frustration continues to grow among Victorian farmers, many of whom say they're bearing the brunt of the state's renewables push. They accuse the Allan government of ignoring their concerns and putting food security at risk in its haste to overhaul the power grid. Both the VNI West and Western Renewables Link projects were originally due online in 2028, a timeline that aligned with the planned closure of several legacy coal plants. Now, officials and energy experts are sounding the alarm over the growing gap between ambition and delivery, as Victoria targets 65 per cent renewables by 2030 and 95 per cent by 2035. The state's transition blueprint includes 5.2 million solar panels, nearly 1,000 wind turbines, and transmission corridors covering 7 per cent of Victoria's landmass, all under intense scrutiny as delays and discontent mount.
National Post
23-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
AECOM to accelerate Australia's energy transition as technical advisor to VicGrid
Article content DALLAS — AECOM (NYSE: ACM), the trusted global infrastructure leader, today announced that it has been appointed as technical advisor and lead consultant, partnering with GHD as a key subconsultant and a team of specialist contractors for VicGrid in Victoria, Australia. A newly established Victorian government agency, VicGrid expects to plan and develop energy infrastructure to ensure a reliable and efficient electricity grid. Article content In its role as technical advisor, AECOM will provide technical advice and support for the development and delivery of VicGrid's energy infrastructure program. The core work will include services across the asset lifecycle, such as engineering, and land, planning and environmental approvals, and will include partnering with First Nations subcontractors. Article content 'Our energy specialists have established themselves as trusted advisors for some of the world's largest power utilities as they drive progress on the energy transition,' said Frank Sweet, chief executive of AECOM's global Environment business. 'We continue to grow our leadership in the energy and power sectors, and we look forward to collaborating with VicGrid to realize more sustainable, reliable energy infrastructure that benefits millions of customers across Victoria.' Article content Victoria is undergoing a significant transformation to build a next-generation power grid and enable the transition to renewable energy. VicGrid expects to take on coordinating the planning, development and delivery of the state's Renewable Energy Zones and transmission infrastructure and will lead investment in projects to strengthen and modernize Victoria's energy grid, including the delivery of transmission required to connect new offshore wind resources to the grid. Article content 'We are excited to work with our partners to support VicGrid in delivering the energy transition and providing safe and affordable power for Victorians,' said Mark McManamny, chief executive of AECOM's Australia and New Zealand region. 'Our team brings deep technical knowledge and capability, leading environment and energy credentials, and valuable local and global experience to deliver across the entire project lifecycle.' Article content About AECOM Article content AECOM (NYSE: ACM) is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at Article content Forward-Looking Statements Article content All statements in this communication other than statements of historical fact are 'forward-looking statements' for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives for future operations, profitability, strategic value creation, capital allocation strategy including stock repurchases, risk profile and investment strategies, and any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, and the expected financial and operational results of AECOM. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: our business is cyclical and vulnerable to economic downturns and client spending reductions; potential government shutdowns, changes in administration or other funding directives and circumstances that may cause governmental agencies to modify, curtail or terminate our contracts; losses under fixed-price contracts; limited control over operations that run through our joint venture entities; liability for misconduct by our employees or consultants; changes in government laws, regulations and policies, including failure to comply with laws or regulations applicable to our business; maintaining adequate surety and financial capacity; potential high leverage and inability to service our debt and guarantees; ability to continue payment of dividends; exposure to political and economic risks in different countries, including tariffs and trade policies, geopolitical events, and conflicts; inflation, currency exchange rates and interest rate fluctuations; changes in capital markets and stock market volatility; retaining and recruiting key technical and management personnel; legal claims and litigation; inadequate insurance coverage; environmental law compliance and adequate nuclear indemnification; unexpected adjustments and cancellations related to our backlog; partners and third parties who may fail to satisfy their legal obligations; managing pension costs; AECOM Capital real estate development projects; cybersecurity issues, IT outages and data privacy; risks associated with the benefits and costs of the sale of our Management Services and self-perform at-risk civil infrastructure, power construction and oil and gas businesses, including the risk that any purchase adjustments from those transactions could be unfavorable and result in any future proceeds owed to us as part of the transactions could be lower than we expect; as well as other additional risks and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements set forth in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement. Article content Article content Article content Article content Media Contact: Article content 213-996-2367 Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
AECOM to accelerate Australia's energy transition as technical advisor to VicGrid
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AECOM (NYSE: ACM), the trusted global infrastructure leader, today announced that it has been appointed as technical advisor and lead consultant, partnering with GHD as a key subconsultant and a team of specialist contractors for VicGrid in Victoria, Australia. A newly established Victorian government agency, VicGrid expects to plan and develop energy infrastructure to ensure a reliable and efficient electricity grid. In its role as technical advisor, AECOM will provide technical advice and support for the development and delivery of VicGrid's energy infrastructure program. The core work will include services across the asset lifecycle, such as engineering, and land, planning and environmental approvals, and will include partnering with First Nations subcontractors. 'Our energy specialists have established themselves as trusted advisors for some of the world's largest power utilities as they drive progress on the energy transition,' said Frank Sweet, chief executive of AECOM's global Environment business. 'We continue to grow our leadership in the energy and power sectors, and we look forward to collaborating with VicGrid to realize more sustainable, reliable energy infrastructure that benefits millions of customers across Victoria.' Victoria is undergoing a significant transformation to build a next-generation power grid and enable the transition to renewable energy. VicGrid expects to take on coordinating the planning, development and delivery of the state's Renewable Energy Zones and transmission infrastructure and will lead investment in projects to strengthen and modernize Victoria's energy grid, including the delivery of transmission required to connect new offshore wind resources to the grid. 'We are excited to work with our partners to support VicGrid in delivering the energy transition and providing safe and affordable power for Victorians,' said Mark McManamny, chief executive of AECOM's Australia and New Zealand region. 'Our team brings deep technical knowledge and capability, leading environment and energy credentials, and valuable local and global experience to deliver across the entire project lifecycle.' About AECOM AECOM (NYSE: ACM) is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this communication other than statements of historical fact are 'forward-looking statements' for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives for future operations, profitability, strategic value creation, capital allocation strategy including stock repurchases, risk profile and investment strategies, and any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, and the expected financial and operational results of AECOM. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: our business is cyclical and vulnerable to economic downturns and client spending reductions; potential government shutdowns, changes in administration or other funding directives and circumstances that may cause governmental agencies to modify, curtail or terminate our contracts; losses under fixed-price contracts; limited control over operations that run through our joint venture entities; liability for misconduct by our employees or consultants; changes in government laws, regulations and policies, including failure to comply with laws or regulations applicable to our business; maintaining adequate surety and financial capacity; potential high leverage and inability to service our debt and guarantees; ability to continue payment of dividends; exposure to political and economic risks in different countries, including tariffs and trade policies, geopolitical events, and conflicts; inflation, currency exchange rates and interest rate fluctuations; changes in capital markets and stock market volatility; retaining and recruiting key technical and management personnel; legal claims and litigation; inadequate insurance coverage; environmental law compliance and adequate nuclear indemnification; unexpected adjustments and cancellations related to our backlog; partners and third parties who may fail to satisfy their legal obligations; managing pension costs; AECOM Capital real estate development projects; cybersecurity issues, IT outages and data privacy; risks associated with the benefits and costs of the sale of our Management Services and self-perform at-risk civil infrastructure, power construction and oil and gas businesses, including the risk that any purchase adjustments from those transactions could be unfavorable and result in any future proceeds owed to us as part of the transactions could be lower than we expect; as well as other additional risks and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements set forth in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement.
Herald Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Offshore wind generation failure: risks more onshore wind turbines
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Victorian government's plan to get nine gigawatts of wind-farm capacity built off the state's coast is falling apart, putting farmers at risk of more onshore developments and transmission lines to offset the loss. Three offshore wind developments have already been abandoned — the 1.5GW Seadragon project off the coast of Ninety Mile Beach, the 0.5GW Vic Offshore and 1.1GW Southern Winds projects located off Portland. Even the massive 2.2GW Star of the South project is still preparing an environmental effects statement, despite having completed five years of scientific and feasibility studies. Last year federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek even rejected a Victorian government proposal to build a renewable energy terminal at the Port of Hastings, which was to be a base to build wind turbines before they were taken out to sea. Centre for Independent Studies energy research director Aidan Morrison said: 'We're seeing (offshore) projects cancelled left right and centre, because they're too expensive. 'Offshore wind developments cost at least twice as much as those onshore.' Yet despite the high costs and uncertainty the Victorian government's renewable energy planner, VicGrid, has incorporated 9GW of offshore wind development in its recently released transmission plan. VicGrid's assumes 500 offshore wind turbines, with an average capacity of 18MW, will be built from 2032 to 2040 to generate 9GW of capacity, equivalent to eight Loy Yang B power stations. VicGrid's plan also factors in 5.8GW of onshore wind farm developments, equivalent to 970 much smaller 6MW turbines. However, if Victoria's 9GW of offshore generation fails to materialise and is pushed onshore, the number of wind turbines that will need to be built across regional Victoria swells to 2470. VicGrid was asked if a shortfall in its offshore generation target meant more transmission lines and onshore renewable developments, but failed to answer the question, simply stating it would be regularly reviewing its plan. Victorian Energy Policy Centre director Bruce Mountain said the Victorian Government large targets offshore wind targets 'pre-suppose significant demand growth'. '(But) both demand growth and the challenges and costs of offshore wind are uncertain,' professor Mountain said. 'There has already been a large increase in offshore wind costs relative to expectations when the policy was adopted.' He said wind development off Victoria's coast 'now depends crucially on federal government support (and) much remains to be discovered'. Originally published as Offshore wind generation failure
