Victoria’s busiest port precinct has plugged directly into the state’s revived public power provider.
Port of Hastings Corporation (PoHC) has switched both its Crib Point and Stony Point operations to 100 per cent renewable electricity, becoming one of the first retail customers of the newly relaunched State Electricity Commission (SEC).
The move means PoHC’s grid-supplied electricity is now matched with renewable energy certificates sourced from Victorian Government-backed projects, ensuring round-the-clock renewable coverage even when on-site generation is insufficient.
Stony Point already operates an 80 kW solar PV array, but like many commercial-scale systems it is subject to intermittency during overcast weather and after sunset.
“While our Stony Point site continues to be powered by an 80 kW solar system, occasionally we still need to rely on the grid during cloudy days or for night-time operations,” PoHC said this week.
By partnering with the SEC, any additional electricity drawn from the grid will be covered by accredited renewable certificates, effectively eliminating the site’s operational Scope 2 emissions.
The SEC resumed electricity retailing on 1 July 2025 for the first time in three decades, initially supplying Victorian Government entities with certified renewable power. The customer base now includes transport assets such as trains, trams and traffic lights, as well as major facilities from Flinders Street Station to Docklands Studios.
PoHC’s participation signals an expansion into port and marine infrastructure operations.
In parallel, PoHC is in discussions with the SEC about joining its Demand Response program. The initiative is designed to optimise local generation and reduce strain on the grid during peak periods, with potential to integrate battery storage to store excess solar output for use during high-demand intervals.
The SEC’s re-entry into the retail market is part of a broader state strategy to accelerate renewable generation, expand energy storage and enable electrification across the economy.
It aims to supply five per cent of Victoria’s electricity market in its initial phase, with investment in wind, solar and storage assets including the planned SEC Renewable Energy Park in Horsham.
PoHC’s shift to full renewable coverage aligns with Victoria’s emissions reduction targets and the growing trend of port authorities integrating clean energy into their operations.
While the Crib Point facility will rely entirely on SEC-supplied renewable power, the Stony Point solar system – augmented by renewable grid supply – demonstrates a hybrid operational model that other industrial users could replicate.