Victoria seeks first 2 GW of offshore wind
Victoria has launched Australia’s first offshore wind tender.
This is a big step towards unlocking new power, investment and jobs for Gippsland. The tender will secure the best value projects for Victorians and give projects the certainty they need to move ahead.
Gippsland is the ideal place for offshore wind, with strong winds, shallow waters, skilled energy workers and nearby grid connections.
We’ve spent years getting ready for this step – working with communities and industry, completing environmental studies and building local partnerships.
We’re excited to take part in the tender and keep working with locals to show what Star of the South can deliver for Gippsland, Victoria and Australia.
Gippsland: offshore wind ready
Following the launch of the Gippsland Offshore Wind Sector Plan earlier this year, local leaders joined offshore wind projects at Victorian Parliament House last week to showcase the region’s ambition to be at the heart of Victoria’s offshore wind industry.
Offshore wind energy represents a major opportunity to build on Gippsland’s proud history of powering Victoria – creating jobs and investing in local communities and businesses.
Gippslanders already working in offshore wind spoke at the event alongside the Minister for Energy and Resources Jaclyn Symes, the Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction David Davis, and Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh.
Environmental assessment and approvals update
Our team is working through public comments on the draft Commonwealth Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and updating the EIS documents in response. We aim to submit a final EIS for approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) in the coming months.
Follow the Commonwealth EIS process here.
Meanwhile, the project’s works in Victoria are being considered by an independent Inquiry appointed by the Minister for Planning. The Inquiry held a Submitter Conference from 10-19 August to hear directly from 9 submitters and is now preparing a report for the Minister.
Podcast alert: Offshore wind learnings from the US
The Natural Resources Defense Council’s latest What the Earth podcast examines why offshore wind matters, what science tells us about marine life and offshore wind, and challenges facing the industry in the US.
Gippsland New Energy Conference 2026
For the fifth year running, the Gippsland New Energy Conference brought 700 people together in Traralgon to shine a light on Gippsland’s critical role in Australia’s energy future.
For us, GNEC is a great opportunity to connect with locals, industry, businesses, students and community members, and talk about the opportunities offshore wind can create in the region.
A highlight for us was seeing just how far Gippsland has come since the first GNEC in 2022 – with new energy projects that were once plans on paper now under construction or operating across the region.
It was excellent to meet recipients of the free community ticket program, which enabled around 80 locals and students to attend the conference.
Thanks to everyone who visited our stand, joined a conversation or helped make GNEC 2026 such a success.
