Victoria's incoming energy minister faces massive infrastructure crisis
Energy experts warn Victoria's next government must urgently replace power from a coal plant closing in 2028.
Whoever wins Victoria's November 28 election will inherit a severe energy challenge. The Yallourn coal plant in the Latrobe Valley supplied 15% of the state's power in 2025 and closes in 2028.
Gas reserves in the Bass Strait are running low. Victoria has relied on gas in households.
New power generators take at least five years to build. The state can't simply plug the gap with new fossil fuel capacity.
Renewables could help, but that requires transmission lines that are delayed and increasingly controversial. A Grattan Institute energy director said fiddling around the edges will not work.
The coalition plans to scrap one major transmission project. Labor wants to push ahead with it.
- 15% of Victoria's 2025 power
- Yallourn power supply
- 2028
- Plant closure date
- $7.6 billion
- VNI West transmission link cost
- At least 5 years
- Time to build new generators
Why it mattersVictoria faces energy challenges that could lead to power shortages and rising costs if the next government doesn't act quickly on infrastructure.
AustraliaVictorian households and businesses face potential electricity cost rises and supply risks depending on which party wins and how quickly they can replace retiring coal capacity.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 24 min ago
