Farmers furious about two projects rumbled into the western Victorian town on Tuesday, April 18 ahead of a meeting about the lines.
The Australian Energy Market Operator opted not to attend the session discussing the Western Renewables Link and the Victoria-to-New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West).
Farmers are concerned about disruptions during construction and ongoing risks for machinery and bushfires once the lines are built.
State government plans to pay farmers $8000 a year for 25 years to those with transmission easements on their land won a lukewarm reception from farmers in February.
Victoria Energy Policy Centre director Bruce Mountain slammed the WRI and VNI as a mistake, and said the state should build on existing transmission infrastructure in Gippsland.
“Instead of making the best use of the wonderful grid we already have, AEMO want the community and renewable generation developers to wait on it to deliver its monumental plans,” Prof Mountain said.
“AEMO is stuck in the past, pursuing a redundant vision that suits its corporate interests.”
In response, AEMO said it needed to use numerous renewable energy zones to share renewable energy throughout the national electricity market.
“If the wind isn't blowing in Gippsland, then we'll be relying on generation from other regions,” an AEMO spokesman said.
VFF president Emma Germano accused the Victorian government of dropping the ball on renewable energy transition and said AEMO’s absence had disrespected Victorian farmers.
“Farmers are being made to bear the brunt of years of inaction, while they have a complete lack of detail on a project that has the potential to threaten their livelihoods,” Ms Germano said.
“For the likes of AEMO to decline today's community meeting at the last minute demonstrates the lack of respect farmers are being shown.”
AEMO denied it was a last-minute cancellation and said it offered the farmers federation an option to meet later in the week.
It has received more than 500 submissions on the two projects as part of ongoing consultations.
A report due in May will identify a preferred option for the renewables link.
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