Works have begun on the Victorian Government’s Synchronous Condenser (SynCon) in Ararat, which aims to help lower power bills by enabling more cheap, renewable energy to come online.
The State Government said the project is critical to stabilising and balancing the energy grid as more wind and solar energy from Western Victoria is connected to the grid.
It is one of 12 projects being delivered as part of the Victorian Government’s $480 million Renewable Energy Zone Fund, which aims to strengthen and modernise the state’s grid so more affordable and reliable renewable energy can flow to homes, businesses, hospitals, and other vital services across the state.
The SynCon, located next to the Ararat Terminal Station, is a rotating machine that helps maintain a balance between power generation and consumption, quickly responding to sudden changes in power demand to stabilise the grid.
System stability has traditionally been provided through the inertia that spinning coal and gas turbines deliver. A SynCon provides a zero-emissions alternative and allows more affordable wind and solar to be connected to the grid.
The Victorian Government said on completion in 2025, the SynCon will unlock up to 600MW of renewable energy generation, providing system strength and maintaining a reliable power grid for the region, as Victoria transitions to 95 percent renewable energy generation by 2035.
Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, said the Ararat SynCon is critical infrastructure that will deliver energy security to homes and businesses in the western region where there is an abundance of wind and solar power.
“We’ve invested $480 million to deliver innovative projects that support our transition to renewable energy by upgrading and modernising our electricity grid which will support Victorians with affordable and reliable energy.”
Victorian Member for Ripon, Martha Haylett, said, “We are supporting the Ararat community and surrounds by strengthening the energy grid to provide affordable and reliable energy straight to homes and businesses.”
