The Victorian Government has released the Victorian Offshore Wind Energy Implementation Statement 2, which sets out how Victoria will leverage industry-led investment in offshore wind for the first tranche of projects that will deliver at least 2GW by 2032.
The strategy confirms the location of the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal at the Port of Hastings. The terminal will support wind construction delivery of up to 1GW per year, process turbines up to 18MW and service multiple offshore wind developments concurrently.
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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 that will identify what skills and training is needed to support the industry, with a specific focus on Gippsland.
The strategy also outlines that VicGrid 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.
This will ensure the timely delivery of transmission infrastructure to support offshore wind while minimising impacts on local communities, the environment and consumer costs.
OWEV is working towards a formal competitive procurement process for the first tranche of offshore wind energy capacity in 2025. further information will 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 its off-shore wind targets of 4GW by 2035 and 9GW by 2040—and helping deliver an estimated 59,000 jobs as it works towards net zero by 2045.
To help meet its ambitious emissions targets, the government is also reviving the State Electricity Commission.
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Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said, “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.”
“Offshore wind will create over 6,000 jobs, generate billions in investment and create cheaper, cleaner, more reliable power for all Victorians.”
