2026-08-24
The Victorian Greens have slammed Premier Ben Carroll for putting renewable energy projects under review while Labor expands gas and fast-tracks energy-hungry data centres across Victoria.
The Victorian Greens say that if the new Premier wants to review something, it should be the 40 odd data centres and additional 30 in the pipeline that are set to send Victoria’s energy demand surging.
With dozens of new data centres proposed and electricity demand set to surge, the Greens say Labor should be accelerating renewable energy, not delaying it and locking Victoria into more expensive fossil fuels.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens clean energy transition spokesperson, Dr Sarah Mansfield:
“The new Premier is reviewing the wrong thing. He should be reviewing Labor’s rush to fast-track massive energy-hungry data centres, not delaying the renewables we desperately need.
“Labor is driving up electricity demand, opening the door to more gas and now putting renewable energy on the chopping block. It’s completely backwards.
“Every delay to renewables risks keeping expensive, polluting gas in our energy system for longer.
“Wind and sunshine are free. The best investment we can make is getting more renewables online now and setting Victoria up for a cheaper, cleaner energy future.
“If Ben Carroll wants to review something, he should start with Labor’s unchecked data centre boom and its obsession with new gas.”