The Victorian Government has taken a significant step towards establishing a flourishing offshore wind energy sector and reaching the State’s offshore wind targets.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio announced the Victorian Offshore Wind Energy Implementation Statement 2, outlining how Victoria will leverage industry-led investment in offshore wind for the first tranche of projects providing at least 2 gigawatts (GW) by 2032.
“Victoria is paving the way for Australia’s first offshore wind farms, and this latest implementation statement will give industry the guidance they need to kickstart our first projects,” Minister D’Ambrosio said.
Minister D’Ambrosio stated that offshore wind would generate nearly 6,000 jobs, billions of dollars in investment, and cheaper, cleaner, more reliable power for all Victorians.
According to the State Government, The strategy reaffirms the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal’s site in the Port of Hastings. The terminal will accommodate up to 1 GW of wind construction per year, process turbines up to 18 megawatts, and service numerous offshore wind developments concurrently.
The Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal will go through a thorough Environment Effects Statement (EES), allowing the community to submit contributions that will be evaluated before the project progresses.
In addition, a Renewable Energy Supply Chain Center will be developed near offshore wind development zones. This infrastructure will help to generate new renewable energy supply chain opportunities throughout Victoria.
“We’re developing the specialised port infrastructure needed to secure Victoria’s place as the offshore wind hub of the nation and deliver secure on-going job opportunities in clean energy for the future,” Minister for Ports and Fright Melissa Horne said.
Offshore Wind Energy Victoria (OWEV) will consult with local businesses interested in participating in the offshore wind energy supply chain to determine the best way to create competitive capabilities.
Work will also commence on a renewable energy workforce development strategy, identifying the skills and training required to support the industry, emphasising Gippsland.
VicGrid will also lead the development of transmission infrastructure for offshore wind, according to the strategy. It will evaluate various viable possibilities before announcing precise transmission connection point locations and route corridors in Gippsland and Portland before the end of the year.
According to the State Government, it will guarantee that transmission infrastructure to serve offshore wind is delivered on time while minimising the effect on local communities, the environment, and consumer costs.
In 2025, OWEV plans to launch a formal competitive procurement procedure for the first tranche of offshore wind energy capacity. In late 2023, more details will be released in Implementation Statement 3.
Victoria will be the location of Australia’s first offshore wind farms, which will contribute significantly to the State Government’s off-shore wind ambitions of 4 GW by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040, as well as an estimated 59,000 jobs as the State works towards net zero emissions by 2045.
