Gippsland Skies Offshore Wind, a consortium including Mainstream Renewable Power, Reventus Power, AGL Energy, and DIRECT Infrastructure, has been awarded a feasibility licence by the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy for a fixed-bottom 2.5 GW offshore wind project off the Gippsland region of Victoria.
The project is expected to be one of Australia’s first offshore wind projects to achieve commercial operation.
The consortium plans to conduct detailed studies and multi-year environmental surveys, subject to approval processes, alongside consultation with First Nations peoples and community stakeholders.
The first phase of the project is expected to be operational by 2032, contributing significantly to Victoria’s offshore wind targets of at least 2 GW by 2032 and 4 GW by 2035.
When fully operational, the project could power up to 1.4 million Victorian homes, equivalent to approximately 17 per cent of the state’s 2023 electricity demand.
Gippsland Skies could contribute $3.7 billion to the economy and provide 4,700 direct jobs in Australia over the estimated 40-year project life, with approximately 2,000 of those jobs in the Gippsland region.
Mary Quaney, Group CEO for Mainstream Renewable Power, expressed excitement about adding offshore wind to their Australian portfolio, highlighting Mainstream’s global offshore wind industry leadership.
Mark Hanafin, Chair of Reventus Power, emphasised the consortium’s commitment to industry development and delivering cleaner energy and jobs for Victoria.
Markus Brokhof, COO at AGL, stated that Gippsland Skies is integral to AGL’s ambition to add 12 GW of additional renewable and firming capacity by the end of 2035, complementing the transition of AGL’s Loy Yang Power Station into the Latrobe Valley Energy Hub.
Peter Coleman, Chair of DIRECT Infrastructure, highlighted the project’s focus on regional and national supply chains and workforce development.
The project’s engagement will be guided by core values of safety, respect, integrity, innovation, and sustainability. Gippsland Skies is jointly owned by Mainstream Renewable Power (35 per cent), Reventus Power (35 per cent), AGL (20 per cent), and DIRECT Infrastructure (10 per cent).
Associate Professor Behrooz Bahrani, Director of the Grid Innovation Hub in the Faculty of Engineering at Monash University, stated: “As an expert in electrical engineering with a focus on renewable energy integration, I strongly support the expansion of Australia’s offshore wind sector as announced by the government.
“Offshore wind projects like those in Gippsland are not just about producing energy; they represent a significant step in our energy transition, providing a more consistent power source compared to other forms of renewable energy.
Bahrani stated that by using advanced technologies like grid-forming inverters, these projects enhance grid stability, support renewable source integration, and ensure a reliable power supply for Australia’s future, contributing significantly to regional economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement.
