- Published:
- Wednesday 9 April 2025
The Allan Labor Government is developing Australia’s first offshore wind industry right here in Victoria, delivering more renewable energy, lowering power bills and creating new jobs and opportunities to develop local supply chains.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio today released Offshore Wind Energy Implementation Statement 4 (IS4) – updating industry and the community on the next steps towards building 2 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy.
To start the auction process, a confidential Registration of Interest (ROI) process kicked off with for offshore wind feasibility licence holders last month, closing in May 2025. This ROI process will inform the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage later this year.
Proponents will be supported through a contract-for-difference and availability payment – the CfD will provide investment certainty for proponents while the availability payment will only be made once infrastructure is generating electricity, providing energy security.
The Government will launch its RFP stage in September 2025, with contracts to be awarded before October 2026.
Hearing from the community is critical to making the development of the offshore wind industry is done right – that’s why we’re making it a requirement that proponents provide additional benefits – above what will be required under the Renewable Energy Zones Community Benefits Scheme – to the communities that host their projects.
The industry will work towards a minimum local content requirement of 80 percent for the operations and maintenance phase – 2032 onwards – of the first tranche of projects. During this period 10 percent of all labour hours will be worked by apprentices, trainees and cadets.
To ensure Victoria has the pipeline of workers needed to support the energy transition, we will soon be opening grant applications for up to $4.9 million to run the Wind Worker Training Centre.
This is another step towards meeting our legislated offshore wind energy targets of 2GW by 2032, 4GW by 2035 and 9GW by 2040. For more information visit energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/offshore-wind-energy/offshore-wind-energy-victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio
“We’re giving industry the certainty it needs to invest and help us start building the renewable energy Victoria needs to push down energy bills.”
“Victoria’s offshore wind industry will provide jobs and career pathways for thousands of workers and boost local businesses through manufacturing and supply chain development.”