Victoria has taken the next step towards delivering a thriving offshore wind energy sector and meeting its nation-leading offshore wind targets.
The State Government of Victoria recently released its Offshore Wind Energy Implementation Statement 2 aimed at delivering a thriving offshore wind energy sector to meet its offshore wind targets.
The statement establishes how Victoria will leverage industry-led investment in offshore wind to achieve the first tranche of projects that will deliver at least 2 gigawatts (GW) by 2032.
The strategy confirms the location of the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal at the Port of Hastings, and hour from Melbourne. The terminal will support wind construction delivery of up to 1 GW per year, process turbines up to 18 megawatts and service multiple offshore wind developments concurrently.
The Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal will undergo a thorough Environment Effects Statement (EES) allowing the community to make submissions which will be considered before the project is progressed.
A Renewable Energy Supply Chain Hub will also be developed near offshore wind development areas. This infrastructure will kickstart the establishment of new renewable energy supply chain opportunities across Victoria.
Offshore Wind Energy Victoria (OWEV) will engage further with local businesses seeking to participate in the offshore wind energy supply chain about how best to build competitive capability.
Work will also begin on a renewable energy workforce development plan to identify the skills and training needed to support this emerging industry, with a specific focus on Gippsland in regional Victoria.
The strategy also outlines that VicGrid, a State Government body, will lead on the development of transmission infrastructure for offshore wind. It will consider a range of feasible options and is expected to announce the specific transmission connection point locations and route corridors in Gippsland and Portland by the end of the year.
OWEV is working towards a formal competitive procurement process for the first tranche of offshore wind energy capacity in 2025, with further information to be shared in Implementation Statement 3 in late 2023.
Victoria will be the home of Australia’s first offshore wind farms – a key part of achieving off-shore wind targets of 4 GW by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040 as the state works towards net zero by 2045.
Download Victoria’s Offshore Wind Energy Implementation Statement 2
Read more about opportunities in Victoria’s clean energy sector.
