For the first time since Jeff Kennett's Liberals sold off the State Electricity Commission, a publicly-owned energy asset is preparing to plug into Victoria's electricity grid - powering homes and driving down energy prices.
Acting Premier Ben Carroll and Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D'Ambrosio today welcomed the installation of two giant 335 tonne transformers at the 600-megawatt Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (MREH) in Plumpton - another milestone for one of the world's biggest renewable energy storage batteries.
With all 444 Tesla Megapack 'big battery' components now in place at the MREH, the giant transformers are the final pieces that will connect the battery's power to the grid and allow it to be pumped at higher voltage.
The transformers travelled with an oversized load escort, and over three days last week, a specialised crew undertook a precision 'jack and skate' process, lifting the transformers and gliding them on to their foundations. A third transformer will arrive next month, while work continues to connect the first two transformers.
The big battery will come online later this year. It works by soaking up excess solar and surplus energy from the grid and releasing it back into the grid during the evening peak to boost supply and put downward pressure on bills. It will also allow 1.8 gigawatts of new renewable energy generation to be added to the grid.
The big battery will store enough renewable energy to power 200,000 homes during peak periods. More than 790 people have worked across all aspects of the project, including 30 apprentices, trainees and cadets.
The SEC will build 4.5 gigawatts of new renewable energy and storage projects - enough to power more than 1.5 million homes - and all profits will be reinvested back into Victorian projects that deliver cheaper renewable energy.
Construction is also underway on the first 100 percent government owned renewable energy project in Australia - the SEC Renewable Energy Park in Horsham. The $370 million investment includes a 100-megawatt two-hour battery and 119-megawatt solar farm that will power 51,000 homes and create 246 jobs.
But it's all at risk under the Liberals. The first thing Brad Battin's Coalition Cuts Squad announced in 2025 was a plan to abolish the revived State Electricity Commission and re-privatise publicly owned energy.
Brad Battin's Energy Privitisation Plan was inspired by his mentor Jeff Kennett, who sold off the State Electricity Commission in the 1990s, letting companies make $23 billion in profit at the expense of Victorian families.
Brad Battin's Energy Privitisation Plan was demanded by his powerbroker and Shadow Minister for the 1950s, Bev McArthur - who fights wind farms - and cheered on by his newly-appointed cuts spokesperson, Joe McCracken.
The SEC is now enshrined in Victoria's Constitution and all money made from the SEC's assets will be reinvested back into SEC for the benefit of all Victorians. But in power, Liberals will still have the option to do what they do best: cut public funding and make families pay.
As stated by Acting Premier Ben Carroll
"The State Electricity Commission puts publicly owned renewable energy into the grid to drive down your power prices. The first thing that Brad Battin's Liberals did was announce a privitsation plan to get rid of it."
As stated by the Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D'Ambrosio
"This is one of the world's biggest batteries that can store enough energy to power 200,000 homes."
"Soon, we'll plug a publicly owned energy asset into the electricity grid for the first time in more than 25 years."
As stated by Member for Sydenham Natalie Hutchins
"Our Labor Government and the State Electricity Commission are delivering local jobs in Plumpton and helping to bring down energy bills for all Victorians."
