Australia Launches Its First Offshore Wind Auction

In long-awaited news for the offshore wind industry, the Victorian government has officially opened its offshore wind auction.

Energy Minister Jaclyn Symes opened the Request for Proposal process for the state's first two gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind. This will provide enough energy to power about 1.5 million homes each year.

Gippsland was declared Australia's first offshore wind zone by the Commonwealth government in 2022. The area was chosen for its strong winds and relatively shallow waters off the coast and proximity to existing power grid infrastructure in the Latrobe Valley. There are currently nine proponents who hold feasibility licences for wind farms off the coast of Gippsland.