Victoria has moved closer to building its offshore wind industry after identifying the preferred transmission route that will carry electricity from the first offshore wind projects off the Gippsland coast into the state's electricity grid.

Route Runs from Loy Yang to Giffard

The preferred route stretches approximately 60 kilometres between the Loy Yang Power Station switchyard and a proposed new terminal station at Giffard. The corridor will be around 200 metres wide and is intended to provide shared transmission infrastructure for the offshore wind projects planned for the Gippsland coast.

State-owned network planning body VicGrid has been working with landholders, communities and stakeholders since 2023 to refine the route, alongside environmental, cultural heritage and technical studies. VicGrid is now meeting directly with landholders within the preferred route to discuss indicative tower locations, likely construction activities and the indicative transmission easement. Those details will form the basis of the project's reference design.

Environment Assessment and Community Input to Follow

The reference design will be assessed through an Environment Effects Statement, with the community able to view the design and make submissions when it is exhibited in early 2027. Final tower and easement locations will continue to be refined through further technical work and consultation.

Community information sessions are scheduled throughout October in Willung, Giffard West and Rosedale, as well as online.

Milestone Follows Australia's First Offshore Wind Auction

The transmission route announcement follows the launch of Australia's first offshore wind auction, which the Victorian government said took place last month. That auction is designed to deliver the first 2 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity, which the government says is enough to power around 1.5 million homes.

The state government has framed offshore wind as a critical source of cheap and reliable renewable energy as ageing coal-fired power stations retire from the grid.

Billions in Investment and Jobs Projected for Gippsland

Offshore wind is expected to drive more than USD 20 billion of investment into Victoria overall. The first auction alone is projected to deliver a $3.1 billion economic boost to Gippsland communities, according to the government.

Energy and Resources Minister Jaclyn Symes said Gippsland had powered Victoria for generations and that offshore wind would maintain its role as an energy powerhouse. "We've launched Australia's first offshore wind auction, and now we're getting on with the transmission needed to bring that cheap, reliable energy into the grid," Symes said.

Symes also acknowledged the role of local communities in shaping the route. "Landholders and locals have helped shape the route we have today — we'll keep working with them as we build an offshore wind industry that delivers jobs, investment and opportunities for Gippsland," she said.

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