GOWA Welcomes Progress on Port Infrastructure Critical to Offshore Wind

‍The Gippsland Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement for new funding directed towards progressing development activities for the proposed Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal at the Port of Hastings, recognising the importance of port infrastructure to the long‑term success of an offshore wind industry in Gippsland.

‍The $124.5 million funding will support further technical and environmental assessment work for the proposed terminal, which is intended to function as a dedicated assembly port for offshore wind components.

The Gippsland Offshore Wind Alliance – a partnership between Committee for Gippsland, the Gippsland Climate Change Network and strategic partners – recently released the Gippsland Offshore Wind Sector Plan, which identifies port capacity as one of the most critical enablers for the development of the sector.

Gippsland Offshore Wind Alliance Co‑Chair Darren McCubbin said fit‑for‑purpose port infrastructure is essential to ensuring Gippsland can fully participate in and benefit from an emerging offshore wind industry.

“Offshore wind projects rely on specialised port infrastructure for the storage, assembly and mobilisation of large components,” Mr McCubbin said.

‍“Our Sector Plan highlights that access to appropriate port facilities is critical to providing the certainty needed for Gippsland to realise the environmental, economic and community opportunities associated with offshore wind.”

‍Committee for Gippsland CEO Tony Cantwell said continued progress on enabling infrastructure supports long‑term regional planning and industry readiness.

‍“Progressing planning and assessment of enabling infrastructure provides greater certainty for industry, investors and the regional workforce, which is critical to supporting Gippsland’s role in future energy generation,” Mr Cantwell said.

The Sector Plan notes that strategic port infrastructure, alongside transmission, workforce capability and community engagement, will underpin the delivery of offshore wind projects and the establishment of a sustainable local industry.

‍You can read the Sector Plan here: https://shorturl.at/mAUBM