Bruce Mountain has put forward an alternative plan to VNI West.
He told 7.30 the VEPC's alternative to AEMO's transmission plan for Victoria could deliver more renewables cheaper with less impact on landowners. "Essentially, our plan uses the existing Victorian grid upgrades rather than building a whole new trunk line through new territory at a much higher voltage than is commonly used in the state," Professor Mountain said.
"The only big winner is the developer and owner of the transmission infrastructure, who gets a regulated charge for the assets that they'll build. Everyone else is paying a price. And that is surely not acceptable." In a statement, AEMO said it maintains the proposed Western Renewables Link and VNI West projects are required to deliver renewable energy to Victorian electricity consumers and across the National Electricity Market at the lowest cost.
In response to AEMO's statement, Professor Mountain said the report's concerns had not been addressed nor had evidence been provided by AEMO. Landholders who could be affected by VNI West and WRL have thrown their support behind Professor Mountain's proposal, which is being presented to invited stakeholders and community members, in Melbourne on Wednesday.
The group has raised $500,000 from regional business, landowners and community members to fund their efforts.100 people have even donated their $250 state government energy rebate to the cause. Roger Dargaville, Associate Professor of renewable energy at Monash University, said he had not read Professor Mountain's alternative proposal to VNI West but said he did not have any particular issues with AEMO's plan.