The authorities in the Australian state of Victoria have launched a plan to add at least 6.3 GW of rooftop solar, 1.2 GW of large distributed solar up to 30 MW, and 3 GW of utility-scale solar within the next decade.

The Victorian government’s “Cheaper, Cleaner, Renewable: Our Plan for Victoria’s Electricity Future’” roadmap sets out a plan to deliver the future energy systems needed to reach the Australian state’s 95% renewable generation target by 2035 and net-zero target by 2045.

Predicting electricity use to increase in the next decade by at least 50% due to population growth and electrification needs, the state will seeks to unlock around 25 GW of new rooftop solar, energy storage, offshore wind and onshore renewables.

The government anticipates that by July 2035, the state’s installed capacity will be 42.2 GW, of which 12.6 GW is distributed solar, 3 GW utility solar, 4.1 GW utility storage, 2.9 GW coordinated and 1.5 GW passive distributed storage.

As of July 2024, 4,847 MW of small-scale rooftop solar capacity producing 9% of the state’s 2023/2024 electricity generation was installed, and 537 MW of battery storage capacity commissioned.
Approximately 28% of Victorian homes have rooftop solar, and by 2025, 100 neighbourhood battery projects will be completed, as will 45,000 social housing energy efficiency upgrades by 2027.

3GW target for utility-scale solar PV; 6.3GW for energy storage

Alongside rooftop solar PV, the state is also eyeing the opportunity utility-scale renewable energy generation can bring. The report says the state should aim to bring an additional 7.4GW of capacity online by 2035.

This is also broken down into differing technologies. Victoria aims to install 12.7GW of generation capacity, with onshore wind accounting for 9.7GW, and solar contributing 3GW.

Energy storage also features within the report, especially given the ambitious upscaling of variable energy generation the state is proposing. To maintain grid stability and provide flexible services, the state government aims to have at least 6.3GW of energy storage capabilities across Victoria.

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