Blue Mackerel is the first developer to receive approval under the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act and Regulations for its feasibility stage management plan from the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator (OIR).
This approval allows the potential offshore wind developer to assess the suitability of its project by undertaking:
- detailed environmental assessments
- geotechnical surveys.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio visited the Barry Beach Marine Terminal in South Gippsland and met with representatives from Blue Mackerel on March 7.
Important steps forward
Through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the Australian Government has awarded 12 feasibility licences for the Gippsland declared area and one feasibility licence for the Southern Ocean declared area.
After being awarded a feasibility licence by the Australian Government, a developer must also get approval of a management plan.
The management plan sets out how licence activities will be carried out, including:
- how an area will be shared with other users
- documenting and responding to ongoing feedback from stakeholders throughout the life of the project
- demonstrating that all activities comply with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act approvals.
All offshore wind projects are, and will continue to be, subject to robust Victorian and Australian government environmental management and impact assessment frameworks before, during and after operations begin.
These studies, including any activities undertaken in Victorian coastal waters under a Victorian Marine and Coastal Act consent, have an important ongoing role in effectively avoiding, minimising and offsetting any impacts to Victoria’s highly valued biodiversity and natural environment. They will guide understanding of the environment that proposed turbines would be operating in, and whether environmental risks and impacts can be adequately mitigated over the life of a project.
A bright future
Offshore wind has been well-established internationally since the 1990s and grows year on year.
Offshore wind has the power to benefit all Victorians. That is why the Victorian Government has given industry the clarity and certainty needed to invest and help us build this necessary next iteration of our energy grid.
Victoria’s offshore wind industry will provide local opportunities long into the future, including jobs and career pathways, boosts for businesses through manufacturing and supply chain development, and community investment.
The commencement of Victoria’s first competitive offshore wind auction is another milestone targeted for this year, with details to be announced in Offshore Wind Energy Implementation Statement 4.
Transmission updates
VicGrid is currently consulting with Gippsland offshore wind developers on how they will connect to the VicGrid connection hub in Giffard and will begin consultation with coastal communities soon.
VicGrid is also developing a long-term strategic plan for Victorian transmission and renewable energy zones, called the Victorian Transmission Plan (VTP). This will include further information on future transmission needed to support Victoria’s longer term offshore wind targets of 4 gigawatts (GW) by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040. A draft plan will be released shortly for further public consultation before the 2025 VTP is released later this year.
Page last updated: 07/03/25