The WESP will provide funding to aid the connection of wind farms to the state power grid, a major cost hurdle for wind energy suppliers.

“Appopriate development of Victoria’s wind energy resources will increase the diversity and capacity of the State’s electricity supply, provide regional development and job opportunities and reduce greenhouse emissions,” said minister for energy industries Theo Theophanus.

“Wind farms have been a boon for local communities such as around Ararat. The support package will have the added benefit of strengthening the electricity grid in regional Victoria.”

Theophanus has said that the WESP was a large step in putting in place a series of initiatives to support wind resources in Victoria.

“We have developed policy and planning guidelines to ensure the appropriate development of the renewable resource and we have released a Victorian Wind Atlas that provides the latest information about wind energy," he said.

"We have recently passed new legislation, the Electricity Industry (Wind Energy Development) Act, to encourage further investment in wind farms by removing barriers to grid connection and providing an assured buyer for power from small wind generators.”

Proposals have been invited from wind energy developers, with priority given to developments in locations that can demonstrate local community support.