- Published:
- Friday 11 September 2026
The Carroll Labor Government’s SEC Renewable Energy Park in Horsham has connected to Victoria’s electricity grid for the first time – another major step towards delivering cheaper, more reliable renewable energy.
The project is now being progressively powered up and tested ahead of full operations in 2027.
More than 212,000 solar panels have been installed, alongside new substations, transformers and high-voltage infrastructure.
A 100-megawatt, two-hour battery will be installed later this year, storing cheap renewable energy so it can be used when Victorians need it most.
Once operational, the solar farm and battery will generate and store enough renewable energy to power more than 51,000 Victorian homes each year.
The project has created around 250 jobs, including 18 apprenticeships, delivering more opportunities for workers and young people in Western Victoria.
The SEC Renewable Energy Park – Horsham Community Benefit Fund will also invest $3 million in local projects, services and initiatives over the life of the project.
The SEC is publicly owned by Victorians and is investing in the renewable energy and storage needed to replace ageing coal-fired power stations and keep driving down power prices.
Jess Wilson’s Liberals want to cut the SEC and put publicly-owned renewable energy on the chopping block – leaving Victorian families to pay the price.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Jaclyn Symes
“The SEC belongs to Victorians – and we’re putting it to work building the cheap renewable energy families need.”
“More than 212,000 solar panels are powering up in Horsham – creating local jobs and putting more cheap renewable energy into Victoria’s grid.”
“Victoria has the lowest wholesale power prices in the country because Labor is getting on with building more renewables – the cheapest form of new energy.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora
“This is what publicly-owned renewable energy looks like – hundreds of local jobs, opportunities for apprentices and investment flowing back into our community.”
“Labor is investing in Western Victoria and its future, while Jess Wilson’s One Nation-Liberal Coalition want to cut the energy projects that are delivering cheaper energy bills for families.”