Developers behind the 1.5 GW Navigator North offshore wind farm in Australia have announced that they do not plan to participate in the state's first round auction. The joint venture between Origin Energy and Renewable Energy Systems (RES) cited concerns with the material provided, including the publicly disclosed timeline of 2032.

Project Background and Current Status

The Navigator North offshore wind farm is being developed by a joint venture between Origin Energy and Renewable Energy Systems (RES). In July 2024, the project was awarded a feasibility licence as part of the Australian government's allocation within Victoria's declared Gippsland offshore wind zone. It was one of twelve licenses issued, which enabled the developers to commence a detailed assessment of the project's feasibility.

The offshore wind farm is planned to be built approximately 34 kilometers from shore and covers an area of 700 square kilometers. Despite deciding not to participate in the initial auction, Origin and RES indicated their intention to continue project development activities.

Auction Participation Decision

Origin and RES stated that they do not intend to participate in the initial auction based on the material provided, including the publicly disclosed timeline of 2032. The joint venture emphasized that the ultimate decision on whether to participate will be made once final auction materials are made available. “The Origin X RES Joint Venture intends to continue to progress development activities on the Navigator North project, and awaits details on future auctions for the 2035 and 2040 delivery timelines for offshore wind,” the joint venture stated.

Victorian Government Auction Timeline

In April 2025, the Victorian government announced that it would launch an offshore wind auction in September. The state expects to award contracts by the fourth quarter of 2026. This represents Victoria's first offshore wind auction as part of the state's broader renewable energy strategy.

Victoria's Offshore Wind Targets

Victoria has established ambitious offshore wind energy targets across multiple timeframes. The state plans to install 2 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2032. Beyond this initial target, Victoria has set offshore wind energy targets of 4 GW by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040. These targets represent a significant expansion of offshore wind capacity in the Australian state, with the Navigator North project potentially contributing substantially to these goals if it proceeds in future auction rounds.

The project's 1.5 GW capacity would represent a significant portion of Victoria's 2032 target and a substantial contribution to the 2035 goal. The decision by Origin Energy and RES to skip the first auction round while maintaining development activities suggests the developers remain committed to the project but prefer to wait for more favorable auction conditions or timelines that better align with their development schedule.

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