The Victorian Government has given the go-ahead for Viva Energy’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal project in Geelong, subject to conditions.
The project comprises an extension to Geelong refinery jetty, a permanently moored floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) and a short 7km pipeline connecting it to the state’s gas main.
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Viva Energy’s gas terminal would have the capacity to supply in excess of 120PJ of gas per year and introduce significant new supply capacity: peak supply of up to 750TJ per day to meet the daily and seasonal gas demands of Victoria and southern Australia.
With construction of the terminal expected to take two years, it promises a complete solution to the structural gas shortfalls forecast to impact Victoria from 2028 onwards.
The gas terminal unlocks a pathway to bring LNG from Australian gas fields or around the world, effectively acting as a virtual pipeline to deliver gas directly to where it is needed most—the major Victorian markets of Melbourne and Geelong.
Viva Energy chief strategy officer Lachlan Pfeiffer said, “Viva Energy’s gas terminal in Geelong is a transformative development for Victoria’s energy landscape, which will ensure a secure, flexible, and cost-effective gas supply, supporting renewable energy generation, and contributing to the economic well-being of Australia.
“One of the key advantages of our LNG terminal is its flexibility to scale up supply during periods of peak gas demand, ensuring that households and businesses in Victoria will have a reliable gas supply all year round. In addition, we expect the LNG terminal will be called on to supply gas for gas-powered electricity generation, providing important firming capacity to support the renewable energy sector as coal retires from the energy system.
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“Timing remains a critical factor—we need to hit a range of milestones in order to get the LNG terminal constructed in time to meet the gas shortfall expected to develop from 2028 onwards,” he said.
Construction is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2026, with the majority of works in 2027.
