Energy in Victoria

Energy in Victoria, Australia is generated using a number of fuels or technologies, including coal, natural gas and renewable energy sources - hydro, wind and solar. Brown coal is the primary energy source in the generation of electricity in the State of Victoria, Australia. Brown coal is also one of the largest contributors to Australia's total domestic greenhouse gas emissions and a source of huge controversy for the country. Australia is one the highest polluters of greenhouse gas per capita in the world. Brown coal is used for the generation of approximately 85% of Victoria's household, commercial and industrial electricity consumption.

The first electricity supplies to Melbourne were generated and distributed by a number of private companies and municipal generator and distribution companies. The main municipal-owned power station in Victoria was operated by the Melbourne City Council, which generated electricity from its Spencer Street power station, which opened in 1892, for the city’s residents, as well as being a wholesale supplier to other municipal distributors. The main privately owned company was the Melbourne Electric Supply Company which was established in 1899. The company operated the Richmond power station, which had been opened in 1891, and the Geelong power station. It operated under franchise arrangements with a number of municipal distributors. The final major generator of electricity was the Victorian Railways which operated the Newport power station, for the supply of electricity to Melbourne's suburban trains. Newport power station was the largest power station in the urban area which opened in 1919 close to the mouth of the Yarra River in the inner western suburbs. These early generators all relied on fuel supplies from the strike prone black coal industry of New South Wales.

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