The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has welcomed the opening of Victoria’s first offshore wind auction, which seeks proposals for 2 gigawatts (GW) of new offshore wind capacity in the Gippsland region.
The Victorian Government has opened the Request for Proposal stage of the auction, with the CEC describing the move as an important step for the state’s future energy supply and regional investment.
CEC Chief Executive Jackie Trad said Victoria was well positioned to develop offshore wind as electricity demand increases with population and economic growth.
“[The] commencement of Victoria’s first offshore wind auction is a pivotal moment for the state’s future energy supply and confidence of regional workers and local businesses,” Trad said.
She said offshore wind could provide a local source of electricity as demand from households, businesses and industry increases.
“Offshore wind as part of a diverse energy mix provides protection against volatile global conditions by providing secure supply locally,” Trad said.
The CEC’s Winds of Opportunity report, released in June 2025, estimated offshore wind could support about 4,000 construction jobs, 7,500 long-term operations and maintenance roles and a further 3,500 indirect jobs across Australia’s supply chain.
The industry body said the sector could also generate investment in regional communities transitioning from coal and strengthen the electricity system while reducing the need for new transmission infrastructure.
The announcement comes as the Australian Energy Market Operator’s 2026 Electricity Statement of Opportunities identified emerging reliability gaps in Victoria from as early as 2030-31, as existing coal-fired generation reaches the end of its operating life.
“Victoria’s growing energy needs mean building new supplies of electricity to replace our unreliable coal stations as quickly as possible,” Trad said.
The CEC said the Gippsland auction represented an opportunity to develop offshore wind alongside other forms of energy generation as Victoria plans for future electricity demand.
