Gippsland Skies Offshore Wind awarded Feasibility Licence for 2.5 GW offshore wind development off the coast of Victoria, Australia

Link to Gippsland Skies Offshore Wind announcement - pdf (1 May 2024)

DIRECT Infrastructure is pleased to announce that 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 projects to reach commercial operation. 

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. 

Peter Coleman, Chair of DIRECT Infrastructure, said: “Gippsland Skies brings together a significant track record of global offshore wind development with deep Australian industry and energy expertise. This project plans to invest in regional and national supply chains, whilst leveraging our global reach and knowledge of best industry practice. Work is already underway to explore opportunities with local TAFE colleges and universities on workforce education, skills development, and training, and to prioritise the use of local businesses.” 

All engagement undertaken by the project will be underpinned by the company’s core values of safety, respect, integrity, innovation, and sustainability. 

Gippsland Skies is jointly owned by a consortium of Australian and international companies, comprising Mainstream Renewable Power (35%), Reventus Power (35%), AGL (20%) and DIRECT Infrastructure (10%).