Speaking at the Victorian Farmers Federation's election forum in Wangaratta on Thursday night, Nationals candidate Mark Byatt said security of power was essential.

"Coal is providing that caseload and that security," he said.

"I do think we will transition over time to supporting renewables - how far that goes, let's wait and see."

Liberal Steve Martin said Labor and independent Helen Haines could not say how much their renewable energy policies would cost.

"I wish we still had our brown coal station operating because it was too soon," he said.

"Unfortunately we've created a lot of instability because we've reduced 25 per cent of our power when we had nothing to replace it.

"The movement to renewables is happening and I welcome it, but there are major problems with it, that it's nearly all solar and when the sun's not shining there is no power."

Labor's Eric Kerr supported a royal commission into energy companies, while investing in renewable energy technology.

Dr Haines said brown coal power stations were coming to the end of their lives.

"I want to see an Australia that's investing in the future and investing in renewable energy, which is clean energy and gives us the opportunity to embrace a future that would give us new opportunities and jobs," she said.

The comments come after Dr Haines yesterday launched her renewable energy policy, saying the country could not wait for government to lead so community energy projects were the way of the future.

The forum was held in front of about 100 VFF members and famers, many who questioned the candidates on the future of agriculture.

Other topics included the Murray Darling Basin Plan, which all candidates wanted reviewed in some way, and the possibility of grazing in the high country, which was supported in some way by Mr Byatt, Mr Martin and United Australia Party's Shane Wheatland.

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