Premier Jacinta Allan unveiled the project on November 20, 2024, marking a pivotal moment as it represents the first fully government-owned energy generation initiative since the privatization of state-owned electricity assets in the 1990s.

The Victorian government has announced a significant investment of $370 million into the SEC Renewable Energy Park in Horsham, which will feature a solar farm and battery capable of powering over 51,000 homes.

The project includes a 119-megawatt solar facility paired with a 100-megawatt battery, which will enhance grid reliability by storing energy for peak demand periods.

This initiative follows the government's successful auction for the Horsham Solar Farm in 2022, which was still in the planning stages when the State Electricity Commission (SEC) took over the contract.

Energy and Climate Action Minister Lily D'Ambrosio emphasized that the facility aims to reduce power bills for residents while contributing to the state's renewable energy goals.

The SEC will retain full ownership of the park, prioritizing community benefits over profits, and all profits generated will be reinvested into further renewable energy projects in the region.

During the construction phase, the Horsham community will benefit from a community fund providing $42,000 annually, which will increase to $70,000 per year once the project is operational.

Originally conceived as a solar farm, the project expanded to include a battery component following financial support from the State Energy Commission.

Once operational, the facility is expected to generate approximately 242,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually, enough to power all homes in Bendigo, a regional city in Victoria.

Construction of the solar farm is scheduled to begin by the end of 2024, with battery construction set to follow in 2025, and the project is projected to last for 30 years.

However, the project has faced skepticism from the opposition, with Deputy Liberal Leader David Southwick questioning how it will effectively lower energy prices amid a cost-of-living crisis.

This development is part of a broader strategy, as the SEC was allocated an initial $1 billion to produce 4.5 gigawatts of renewable energy, compensating for the planned closure of the coal-fired Loy Yang A power station by 2035.