CEC endorses project planning reforms for Victorian renewable projects

The Development Facilitation Program serves as an assessment pathway for renewable projects.

The Clean Energy Council has supported the latest changes under the Development Facilitation Program (DFP), involving the acceleration of planning pathways for renewable energy projects.

Under the new DFP changes, all new renewable energy projects in Australia will be designated as significant economic developments.

Renewable energy developers are still required “to self-assess whether an environmental effects statement (EES) is required”, placing projects that need an EES as ineligible for the DFP pathway.

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Once eligible for assessment under DFP, projects can circumvent planning panel processes, with a final approval decision to accelerate after a project has been thoroughly evaluated, ensuring seamless energy transition in Victoria.

“Ensuring consistent, predictable and timely decisions on renewable energy developments is critical to climate action in Victoria and a timely transition of our electricity system, which is now powered by almost 40% renewable energy nationally,” Dr. Nicholas Aberle, Director of Energy Generation & Storage at Clean Energy Council, said.