Victoria launches consultation on connection of Australia’s first offshore wind farms

Public consultation has begun on the development of new connection points and transmission lines in Victoria, in the race to connect Australia’s first offshore wind farms to the national grid.

Victorian energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio says VicGrid – the body set up to manage the transition of the state’s outdated and coal-based electricity grid – has begun consultation in Gippsland and Portland on the establishment of onshore connection points essential for offshore wind.

D’Ambrosio says the state-owned VicGrid will provide common connection points for offshore wind farms and shared transmission lines to connect to the current network where necessary.

The goal is to make sure these are available in time to support the connection of the state’s first offshore wind farm in less than a decade, while also avoiding the “spaghetti effect” potentially created in the rush to connect multiple transmission lines for multiple projects.

Victoria’s Labor Andrews government last year set a target to achieve 2GW of offshore wind capacity by 2032, 4GW by 2035, and 9GW by 2040 – equivalent to six Yallourn coal-fired power stations.

Having been flooded with interest from the world’s major players, and a host of smaller players, the state is set to hold Australia’s first auctions for offshore wind projects in 2025 to ensure that the initial 2GW target is met before the first of the state’s last two coal generators close down.

Two coordinated connection points have been planned – one near the Gippsland Coast, where the first offshore wind zone in Australia has been declared, and one in Portland, which is likely to be the second zone declared in Victoria, given the huge demand from the smelter in that area.

“Victoria will be the home of Australia’s first offshore wind farms,” said D’Ambrosio in a statement late last week.

“We’re working on new transmission connections to ensure all Victorian homes and businesses can access the benefits of this cheaper and cleaner energy source.”

D’Ambrosio says VicGrid has prepared a Development and Engagement Roadmap 2023 and will lead four phases of “planned, respectful and ongoing public engagement” to share information and ensure local values and concerns are actively considered in the development of the new transmission.

Phase One of the plan begins immediately with direct, place-based engagement with Traditional Owners, communities and stakeholders, the minister says.

Following this process, VicGrid will start developing preferred options for transmission routes, which will be informed by the feedback received.