- Published:
- Friday 3 May 2019
A much-loved Wonthaggi tourist experience is making the transition to renewable energy thanks to a funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio and Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale today visited the State Coal Mine in Wonthaggi to inspect the Old Energy New Energy Project, which supplies electricity to the popular attraction.
The project involves the installation of 91kW of solar PV and 41kWh of battery storage, not only powering the site but demonstrating how renewable energy, energy efficiency and new technology are changing the game.
This renewable energy upgrade was made possible with a funding boost of over $241,000 from the Labor Government’s New Energy Jobs Fund.
The black coal mine is located in Wonthaggi and was operational up until 1968. It now operates as a state park and tourist attraction, run by Parks Victoria.
This is the only historic coal mine experience in the Southern Hemisphere which offers tourists a journey back in time to see what life was like working in a coal mine in the 1900s.
It’s expected that this initiative will become a template for the roll-out of renewable power generation to other tourism sites in Victoria.
The New Energy Jobs Fund is part of the Labor Government’s $200 million Future Industries Fund, which is supporting growth in the new energy technologies sector.
The Labor Government is increasing Victoria’s Renewable Energy Target to 50 per cent by 2030 – putting more clean energy into the grid, increasing investment and driving down energy prices.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“It’s great to see a facility that was once used to mine coal now leading the way when it comes to renewable energy in tourism.”
“We want to see more sites like this one transition to renewables – we’re delivering the investment needed to support that transition.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale
“Thank you to the Energy Innovation Co-operative for initiating this project and partnering with the State Coal Mine to lead the rest of Victoria – Bass is doing its bit to bring down emissions and tackle climate change.”