BlueFloat Energy’s Gippsland Dawn Offshore Wind Project has been granted Major Project Status (MPS) by the Australian Government—one of 16 diverse projects nationwide to receive this recognition and only the second offshore wind projects being developed to hold this status.
The decision recognises the national significance of the project to Australia’s development of an offshore renewable energy industry and energy transition, with a Major Projects Facilitation Agency case manager appointed to work closely with BlueFloat Energy to assist and navigate government approvals processes.
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“This is an exciting development for BlueFloat Energy, recognising the effort we and many others are putting towards making Gippsland Dawn a success and part of Australia’s renewable future,” BlueFloat Energy country manager Nick Sankey says.
Gippsland Dawn project director Darragh White says, “As we move forward, we will ensure that our engagement with the community and stakeholders is transparent and meaningful. The success of Gippsland Dawn relies on collaboration and shared benefits for everyone involved.”
Gippsland Dawn Offshore Wind Project was granted a feasibility licence earlier this year, and plans are now underway to install wind turbines and offshore substations in Bass Strait, situated between 10-33km from the coast, between Paradise Beach and Ocean Grange. The project has the capacity to generate up to 2.1GW of electricity—enough to power more than one million homes.
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Capital investment of approximately $10 billion is proposed, with construction expected to begin in 2029 and the project projected to be operational by 2031.
A transmission system of cables and substations will connect the offshore wind farm to the electricity grid. An onshore landing point for the transmission cable will be determined in line with VicGrid’s connection hub area investigations.
