Mainstream Renewable Power Consortium Awarded Feasibility Licence for 2.5 GW Offshore Wind Development in Australia

Mainstream Renewable Power today announced 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.

Mary Quaney, Group CEO for Mainstream Renewable Power, said: “Mainstream is a pioneer in the global offshore wind industry and our track record includes developing the world’s largest offshore wind project in operation today; Hornsea 2 in the UK. We have been present in Australia since 2019, developing a 1.5 GW portfolio of greenfield projects onshore and we’re now excited to add offshore wind to our pipeline in this very promising market for renewable energy development.”

Mark Hanafin, Chair of Reventus Power, said: “Gippsland Skies represents a cornerstone of our ambitions in the Australian offshore wind sector. Our consortium is determined to play a leading role in industry development and facilitate the delivery of cleaner energy, jobs, and benefits for the citizens of Victoria. Development undertaken by Gippsland Skies will include a significant investment package that will help deliver local benefits through workforce and supply chain development and enable a smooth transition of the Australian energy industry to a renewables-based future.”

Markus Brokhof, Chief Operating Officer at AGL, said: “Gippsland Skies will be an important part of AGL’s ambition to add 12 GW of additional renewable and firming capacity by the end of 2035. The development of this significant offshore wind project could also be an ideal complement to the transition of AGL’s Loy Yang Power Station into the Latrobe Valley Energy Hub following its targeted closure by the end of FY35. The build out of new infrastructure, new skills and local supply chains will be critical for both. As we progress the development of this offshore wind project, we hope to create a new era of innovation and new careers for 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%).