Victoria’s State Electricity Commission (SEC) has reached a major landmark in the state’s shift towards clean energy, with the SEC Renewable Energy Park – Horsham solar farm connecting to the electricity grid for the first time.
The key development marks the project’s transition from mechanical completion into its critical commissioning and energisation phase. Engineers are safely linking the infrastructure to the grid ahead of full commercial operations scheduled for 2027.
Lane Crockett, SEC’s Executive General Manager of Assets, said the grid connection was a pivotal moment for the development.
“What we are marking today is one of the most important milestones on any renewable energy project as it moves from construction to contributing renewable energy to the grid,” Crockett said.
He noted that the facility will play a central role in supporting Victoria’s planned phase-out of legacy coal-fired generators, including the scheduled closure of the Yallourn Power Station in 2028.
Before reaching this stage, the Horsham site underwent thousands of rigorous installation, construction, and safety checks.
The solar farm will now proceed through hot commissioning and hold-point testing, gradually energising key electrical components such as substations, 162.5-tonne transformers, inverters, and high-voltage underground cables.
Work is also underway to prepare the site for the arrival and installation of a 100-megawatt, two-hour battery energy storage system later this year.
Once fully operational alongside its 212,296 solar panels, the hybrid energy park will generate enough clean power to supply more than 51,000 Victorian households annually.
Beyond energy security, the project is delivering significant local economic benefits. More than 400 workers, including around 20 apprentices and trainees, have contributed to construction so far.
Community initiatives are also receiving a direct boost. The SEC is investing AU$126,000 across the Horsham local government area in 2026 through its Community Benefit Fund, providing grants up to AU$25,000 for local projects. Over its operational lifetime, the fund will inject AU$3 million into the region.