Former US vice president Al Gore has launched Victoria’s Renewable Energy Action Plan as it sought to boost the state’s green credentials.
The Victorian government said the plan was backed by $146 million in funding in order to deliver more renewable, affordable and reliable energy for the state. Al Gore spoke to the media in Melbourne, where he rode a tram with Lily D’Ambrosio, Victoria’s minister for energy, environment and climate change.
Al Gore said that the tram was the largest network in the world and is now going to be running fully using solar energy. He also predicted that it will become a symbol of renewable energy revolution worldwide.
The Victoria Renewable Energy Action Plan also includes $25 million to install grid scale battery storage facilities as well as $15.8 million for smart software system, solar and battery storage micro grid initiatives.
Victorian officials have set themselves renewable energy generation targets of 25% by the year 2020 and 40% by the year 2025.