The opening of Australia’s first offshore wind auction marks a watershed moment for Victoria’s energy system, unlocking one of the nation’s richest renewable energy resources, anchoring jobs and investment in regions like Gippsland, and delivering energy reliability for generations to come.
Today’s announcement by the Victorian Government of the opening of the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage of the Gippsland offshore wind auction, seeking 2 GW of new offshore wind capacity has been welcomed by Australia’s peak industry body for the renewable energy sector, the Clean Energy Council (CEC).
CEC Chief Executive, Jackie Trad, said that Victoria is uniquely positioned to harness world-class offshore wind resources at a time when the state’s economic and population growth will drive significantly higher demand for electricity into the future.
“Today’s commencement of Victoria’s first offshore wind auction is a pivotal moment for the state's future energy supply and confidence of regional workers and local businesses,” Ms Trad said.
“As Victoria’s population and economy grows, more homes, businesses and industries will need more power, and investing in offshore wind means Victorians will have, reliable, local power for decades to come.
”Offshore wind as part of a diverse energy mix provides protection against volatile global conditions by providing secure supply locally"
The Clean Energy Council's Winds of Opportunity report, released in June 2025, found offshore wind will create thousands of construction, manufacturing and operations jobs, deliver billions of dollars of investment into regional communities transitioning from coal, and strengthen Australia's energy system while minimising the need for new transmission infrastructure.
The report found offshore wind is set to support around 4000 construction jobs, 7500 long-term operations and maintenance roles, and a further 3500 indirect jobs across the industry supply chain in Australia.
Offshore wind as part of a diverse energy mix provides protection against volatile global conditions by providing secure supply locally.Jackie Trad Clean Energy Council CEO
Separately, the Australian Energy Market Operator's 2026 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO), released yesterday, identified emerging reliability gaps in Victoria from as early as 2030-31, as major coal generators Yallourn in Gippsland, and Loy Yang A in the La Trobe Valley, are reach their end of life and are retired.
“Victoria’s growing energy needs mean building new supplies of electricity to replace our unreliable coal stations as quickly as possible,” Ms Trad said.
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Liam Straughan
Clean Energy Council Media Officer
+61 409 470 683
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