The Latrobe Valley and broader Gippsland region has been Victoria’s powerhouse for more than100 years. It is a vibrant region, with a rich history and is made up of four urban centres: Churchill, Moe - Newborough, Morwell and Traralgon.
As one of our priority regions, the Net Zero Economy Authority is committed to supporting the Latrobe Valley to harness the opportunities of the transition to a net zero economy, expanding its clean energy industry and diversifying its economy. A range of projects to support the region’s future are already underway, including:
- The Delburn Wind Farm which is scheduled to be completed in 2026 and will generate 205MW to the electricity grid and be based in the south of the Latrobe Valley.
- The Latrobe Valley Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) a 100MW BESS, which will improve the reliability of the electricity network by storing power for use during peak periods.
- Latrobe Magnesium who are constructing a 1,000 tonne per annum demonstration magnesium plant in Hazelwood North. The demonstration project will process fly ash into magnesium metal and other valuable by-products.
Challenges lay ahead for the region with the closure of Yallourn coal-fired power station in 2028 and Loy Yang A to follow in 2035. Our role is critical in helping the region prepare for the closures and supporting workers, families and the community to transition to new opportunities in a cleaner and diversified economy.
The Authority is working with communities, state and local government, regional bodies, unions, businesses and individuals across the region with the aim of achieving a just transition for all. This includes supporting the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to develop a Regional Workforce Transition Plan to support the government’s vision of achieving a smooth workforce transition. You can find out more about our plans for Latrobe and other regions at Community transition plans.