VicGrid has released a long-term strategic plan for the development of Victoria’s renewable energy zones designed to deliver certainty and fairness for communities and industry and keep the lights on as coal-fired power closes down.

The 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan has been developed through extensive consultation and sets out the transmission infrastructure the state needs to build over the next 15 years to deliver reliable and affordable energy to Victorian homes and businesses.

VicGrid’s role is to balance the need for new renewable projects that will deliver reliable and affordable power as coal closes with a range of other factors, including how to minimise impacts on landholders, communities, agriculture, the environment and power bills.

Not all community or industry requests have been adopted. The Victorian Transmission Plan reflects difficult choices, made by weighing up many factors to deliver a plan that best serves all Victorians.

Further information about the 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan, including a Final Engagement Report, is available on VicGrid’s website.

Learn More

Wellington Shire Council has secured a massive $4.73 million from the Federal Labor Government’s Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (RPPP) announced by Minister Catherine King & Kristy McBain MP on 12 August 2025. This grant will enable the delivery of the Renewable Energy Land and Infrastructure Plan that was identified as a priority in the Wellington Renewable Energy Impact and Readiness Study.

The significant funding win is the result of strong partnerships between Wellington Shire Council, South Gippsland Shire Council, and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, with support from the Victorian Government. The plan will open land up for development in the south of Wellington Shire, identify critical infrastructure, and ensure the region is ready to welcome large-scale workforce and industry investment linked to offshore wind.

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Councillor Scott Rossetti said the announcement is a defining moment for Wellington and the wider Gippsland region.

“…We are grateful to the Federal Government for recognising Gippsland’s role in Australia’s clean energy future. With a whole-of-government approach and strong local partnerships, this plan will set the blueprint for how our communities grow, attract investment, and lead the way in renewable energy…”

Learn More

Two major announcements in August marks a major step forward for the project — with construction expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2030.

The Marinus Link project has been approved under Commonwealth environmental legislation. The approval, granted under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), sets out environmental-related conditions for the project’s construction, operation and decommissioning.

The most recent announcements  by its shareholders that they have made a Final Investment Decision to proceed with Stage 1 of Marinus Link. The decision confirms that there is a sound financial and economic investment case for proceeding with the construction phase of Marinus Link Stage 1, based on an assessment of forecast costs, revenue, associated benefits, and risks. Marinus Link is expected to provide substantial consumer benefits resulting from reductions to wholesale electricity prices across the National Electricity Market.

MLPL is jointly owned by the Commonwealth of Australia, the State of Tasmania and the State of Victoria. MLPL is responsible for progressing the Marinus Link interconnector project.

Learn More

Australia’s journey into the realm of offshore wind energy continues to evolve, with Gippsland at the forefront of innovation and resilience. While the announcement that Blue Float Energy has cancelled its 2.1 GW Gippsland Dawn project made headlines, the bigger story is the enduring strength and ambition of Victoria’s offshore wind sector.

Gippsland: Australia’s Offshore Wind Pioneer
Gippsland remains Australia’s first declared offshore wind zone—a region boasting shallow waters ideal for fixed turbines, which are both more cost-effective and simpler to install than floating alternatives. With the Commonwealth approving feasibility licences for projects capable of delivering 23 GW of electricity, the region is poised to more than meet Victoria’s energy needs. It’s also perfectly normal for some projects to exit as the sector matures and competition refines the field.

Milestones and Forward Momentum
The sector’s progress is clear. The Offshore Infrastructure Regulator (OIR) recently approved feasibility management plans for two major projects: JERA Nex bp’s Blue Mackerel project (1 GW) and Iberdrola Australia’s Aurora Green Offshore Wind Project (3 GW). Both developments are anchored in the Gippsland Offshore Wind Zone, marking significant steps forward for renewable energy in the region.

Victoria’s Vision: Investing in a Clean Energy Future
The Victorian Government is unwavering in its commitment, announcing a 2 GW offshore wind capacity auction set to open in September. Selected participants will be revealed in October 2026, and successful projects will benefit from a Contract for Difference (CfD) scheme—providing certainty and encouraging long-term investment.
Victoria’s ambitious goals include:
• 2 GW of offshore wind capacity under development by 2032
• 4 GW by 2035
• 9 GW by 2040

Building a Skilled Workforce for Tomorrow
Recognising the need for a robust pipeline of talent, the Victorian Government has launched tenders for a delivery partner for the new Wind Worker Training Centre. This initiative will ensure Victoria has a highly skilled renewable energy workforce, ready to power the state’s sustainable future.

Learn More

Erin Coldham recently joined Adrian Dwyer and Janice Lee on Infrastructure Partnerships Australia’s podcast – Inside Infrastructure – Season 3 Episode 3: to discuss:

• Becoming Australia’s ‘First Lady of Wind’.
• Her career path to offshore wind
• The critical need to accelerate the energy transition
• Why social licence in energy needs a rebrand
  … and much more!

Grab a cuppa sit back and gain an insider’s perspective on the transition to offshore wind!

Press Learn More to go to the Podcast. 

Learn More

What does a just energy transition look like for coal communities?

Tony Wolfe a lifelong Latrobe Valley local, former coal industry worker, local government councillor, Gippsland Climate Change Network Board member and passionate advocate for community-led change spent some time with Wendy Agar from Engaged Outcomes on the emPOWER podcast to talk about my ideas, perspectives and experience about the real impacts of the energy transition on regional communities built around coal.

To quote Tony, after working with coal to produce electricity for over 40 years, I find it mind blowing that one revolution of an offshore wind turbine can power the average Australian home for more than a day.

• The fuel is free, non-polluting and infinite. Time to move on???
• We didn’t leave the stone-age because we ran out of rocks…”
• Abounding opportunities await
• Never too old to learn

Listen to the full podcast

Published with the permission of EmPOWER and acknowledge that it is proudly supported by The Energy Charter.

Learn More

April 9, 2025, more sods were flying!

On a magnificent autumn morning at the Morwell TAFE Gippsland campus, the Honourable Gayle Tierney MP, Minister for Skills and TAFE, attended the sod turning to mark the beginning of construction for our new Clean Energy Centre. Supported by a $5 million investment from the Victorian Government, this initiative promises world-class vocational training in sustainable energy technologies, addressing the growing demand in the renewables sector.

The Centre will offer advanced training programs in wind power, hybrid and electric vehicle servicing, and smart grid technology. TAFE Gippsland CEO Laura Macpherson and Paul Buckly Board Chair emphasized its role in supporting the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Construction of the Clean Energy Centre, expected to complete in early 2026, will feature modern teaching spaces and industry-standard simulation equipment, offering real-world experience to students. In its first year, the Centre will accommodate 200 students, setting the stage for a thriving clean energy workforce.

Learn More

April 9, 2025, Octopus Australia announced the commencement of construction on the 80MW Fulham Solar Farm and 128MWh Battery Project. This innovative project is backed by a power purchase agreement with the Victorian State Government, ensuring its importance to the region’s energy future. This marked a significant milestone in Gippsland’s renewable energy sector. 

The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources and Minister for the State Electricity Commission, attended the event and underscored the project’s critical role in advancing sustainable energy solutions. Fulham Solar Farm stands out as one of Australia’s first DC-coupled solar and battery hybrid assets. This cutting-edge technology promises greater efficiency and resilience in energy production and storage, paving the way for more robust renewable energy systems.

Octopus is committed to maximising the use of local businesses, tradespeople, ensuring the project delivers lasting benefits to the Gippsland region.

Learn More

Do offshore wind farms harm whales? NO
There is no evidence to suggest that offshore wind farms will kill whales in Australia or that they are killing whales anywhere else in the world. Scientific investigations have found no link between whale deaths and offshore wind activities. Benjamin Laws, deputy chief for permits and conservation with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Office of Protected Resources, told a media teleconference on East Coast whale strandings: “I want to be unambiguous: There is no information supporting that any of the equipment used in support of offshore wind development could directly lead to the death of a whale.

Offshore wind energy has been used around the world since 1991 and increases globally year on year. The biggest threat to Whales is Climate Change. 

Are there any regulations in Australia to protect whales from offshore wind development? YES
To learn more, follow the links below.

Information from the Clean Energy Factsheets

Learn More