Australia’s first offshore wind auction goes live

Coastal grass with offshore wind farm in ocean in the distance
Image: Shutterstock

Australia’s first offshore wind auction is now live, with Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Jaclyn Symes today opening the Request for Proposal process for the state’s first 2GW of offshore wind.

Proposed offshore wind projects in the declared Gippsland Offshore Wind Zone can now bid for contracts and will be assessed on value for money, deliverability, and benefits for local workers, businesses, and communities.

Related article: Good news for renewables: Southern Australia’s offshore winds will stay strong even as the climate changes

Successful projects will move towards investment, construction, and operation.

Contracts are expected to be integrated into the national Electricity Services Entry Mechanism (ESEM), providing a pathway towards Victoria’s target of 9GW of offshore wind.

Victoria has some of the best offshore wind resources in the world, and 2GW of wind power generation will provide enough energy to power around 1.5 million homes each year.

Minister Symes said the auction was a “giant leap towards getting Australia’s first offshore wind projects built, attracting billions in investment, creating thousands of jobs and delivering the reliable power we need as coal retires”.

“Victoria has some of the best offshore wind resources in the world. This auction is about harnessing that advantage and building the next generation of energy right here in Victoria,” she said.

Related article: Victoria commits $125M to progress offshore wind terminal

The auction will close in August 2027, with contracts expected to be awarded in 2028.

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