Victorian offshore wind auction opens with plans to power 1.5 million homes
The Victorian government says the auction is a major step towards creating a local offshore wind industry.
The Victorian government has launched its first offshore wind auction, aiming to attract companies to bid for the provision of 2 gigawatts (GW) of power to the grid. Successful projects will generate enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes annually, while also creating thousands of jobs. Companies have a year to submit bids, with the government expecting to award contracts in 2028.
Victoria boasts some of the world's best offshore wind resources, with two declared wind zones off the Gippsland and south-west coasts. Energy Minister Jaclyn Symes noted that offshore wind would provide grid reliability as the state's coal plants phase out. The auction's success hinges on partnering with the government, as highlighted by Southerly Ten, a leading offshore wind developer, which welcomed the auction's opening.
The government aims to reach at least 2 GW of offshore wind power by 2032, expanding to 4 GW by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040.
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