Gippsland Skies Offshore Wind (“Gippsland Skies”), a consortium of Australian and international companies, comprising Mainstream Renewable Power, Reventus Power, AGL Energy and DIRECT Infrastructure has been granted 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 feasibility licence was awarded following a highly competitive merit-based selection process, and it is expected to be one of Australia’s first offshore wind farms to reach commercial operation.   

AGL Chief Operating Officer, Markus Brokhof, said the project would be a significant step forward in AGL’s transition strategy and will deliver an economic boost for the Gippsland region.  

“Gippsland Skies will be an important part of AGL’s ambition to add 12 GW of additional renewable and firming capacity by the end of 2035. The development of this significant offshore wind project could also be an ideal complement to the transition of AGL’s Loy Yang Power Station into the Latrobe Valley Energy Hub following its targeted closure by the end of FY35. The build out of new infrastructure, new skills and local supply chains will be critical for both. As we progress the development of this offshore wind project, we hope to create a new era of innovation and new careers for the Gippsland region.”   

With a feasibility licence secured, a series of detailed studies and multi-year offshore and onshore environmental surveys will commence, subject to approval processes, alongside consultation with First Nations peoples and community stakeholders.   

The first phase of the project is expected to be operational in 2032, contributing significantly to the Victorian Government’s offshore wind targets of at least 2 GW by 2032 and 4 GW by 2035. When fully operational, this project could power up to 1.4 million Victorian homes which is equivalent to supplying approximately 17 percent of the State’s 2023 electricity demand.   

Gippsland Skies could contribute $A3.7 billion to the economy and could 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.