All 12 projects in the Gippsland Offshore Wind Zone have now been granted feasibility licences.
The first six projects were approved by the Federal Government in May 2024, and in a social post on 17 July 2024, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, announced that the remaining six have now also been granted feasibility licenses.
Mr Bowen also said that the Gippsland Offshore Wind Zone has the potential to generate 25GW of power – more electricity than the entire state of Victoria generated in 2023.
The six new projects approved are:
- Navigator North Project (1.5GW) – Origin x RES
- Kent Offshore Wind Farm project (2GW) – RWE
- Great Eastern Offshore Wind project (2.5GW) – Corio Generation
- Gippsland Dawn Offshore Wind Project (2.1GW) – BlueFloat Energy
- Aurora Green Offshore Wind Project (3GW) – Iberdrola Australia
- Gippsland Offshore Wind Farm 2 (2GW) – Ørsted
The feasibility licences allow developers to undertake detailed environmental assessments and geotechnical surveys; obtain approvals; and undertake further consultation on their proposed projects with First Nations groups, communities and marine users.
If developers can prove the project’s feasibility, they can apply for a commercial licence to build the project.
Origin Head of Energy Supply and Operations, Greg Jarvis said, “We are pleased to have been awarded a feasibility licence for the Navigator North offshore wind project, which is testimony to the strengths and capabilities of our joint venture, and the commitments expressed in our application.
“Origin is the nation’s largest energy retailer, with 4.7 million customer accounts, owns a suite of generation assets across Australia’s East Coast, and has deep expertise right across the Australian energy and policy landscape. RES brings extensive global experience across the full lifecycle of offshore and onshore wind farms and other renewable energy technologies.
“Together, we will look to develop a competitive wind project that we believe could provide material renewable supply to the energy market. We will place local communities and workforces at the heart of any potential Navigator North development and future operations,” Mr Jarvis said.
CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, Sven Utermöhlen, said, “Australia is a very attractive growth market for renewable energy. RWE has been active in the country for ten years and operates one of Australia’s largest solar farms. By securing exclusive seabed rights in the Bass Strait off Gippsland, we are now entering the Australian offshore wind market and will bring our more than 20 years of experience in this field. With the Kent project, we will work on developing one of the first offshore wind farms off the Australian coast. This is in line with our strategy to grow our renewables portfolio in Australia and the wider APAC region.”
Chairman and CEO of Iberdrola Australia, Ross Rolfe AO, said, “A guiding principle behind Iberdrola Australia’s offshore license application is a commitment to sharing the benefits of the energy transition with local communities and businesses.”
“The regional communities in Gippsland have a long and proud history of providing the majority of Victoria’s electricity supplies. The Gippsland region therefore contains a large set of skilled workers, experienced small businesses and industrial innovators, all of whom will play a critical role in the development of the offshore wind industry. We look forward to further strengthening our relationship with all our stakeholders in this vibrant region of Victoria.
“The Iberdrola Group congratulates both the Commonwealth and Victorian governments on the way in which they have engaged industry to introduce the offshore industry into the Australian power system,” Mr Rolfe said.
“We look forward to continuing our engagement with Ministers Bowen and D’Ambrosio, the First Nations people, local communities, unions and the energy industry in Victoria.”
Gippsland Dawn’s Project Director, Darragh White, welcomed the announcement and said that the project will bring strong and lasting benefits to Gippsland and Australia.
“We look forward to continuing our engagement with Minister Chris Bowen, Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, GLaWAC, local communities, unions and the energy industry in Victoria. We will work closely with commercial and recreational fishers and boaters to understand how we can share the ocean,” Mr White said.
“The feasibility licence will enable investigation work, including offshore metocean, geophysical and geotechnical investigations. Detailed technical studies and surveys will be completed. Gippsland Dawn will continue to seek feedback and engage closely with stakeholders and the community during every step of the project’s development.”
BlueFloat Energy Australia Country Manager, Nick Sankey, said offshore wind is poised to become a critical part of the renewable energy system in Australia.
“Offshore wind will help ensure reliability and security of electricity supply, particularly as we transition away from fossil fuels. The offshore wind industry will contribute toward the Australian Government’s emissions reduction plan of net zero emissions by 2050. It will also significantly help meet the Victorian Government’s emissions reduction target of net zero by 2045,” Mr Sankey said.
BlueFloat Energy CEO, Carlos Martin, said “This milestone will pave the way for significant advancements in new energy, supporting the transition away from traditional coal-fired generation to new offshore wind, which will benefit both the environment and the communities we serve in Victoria and wider Australia.”
Corio Generation CEO, Jonathan Cole, said that offshore wind technology is a proven, clean, and cost-competitive form of electricity generation.
“We believe that the offshore wind sector can play a vital role in delivering clean, green and affordable renewable energy across Australia and providing economic development for local communities,” Mr Cole said.
“Our Victorian team combines extensive international experience in delivering world-class offshore wind farms with strong local knowledge and capabilities. Great Eastern Offshore wind will contribute to Australia’s energy transition and journey towards net zero.
“Developing offshore wind projects will attract large-scale and long-term investment, driving the growth of Australia’s supply chain and creating valuable new employment opportunities.”
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