Mainstream Consortium Makes Bid for 2.5 GW Offshore Wind Development in Australia

May 30, 2023, by Adnan Memija

A consortium of Australian and global companies comprising Mainstream Renewable Power (Mainstream), Reventus Power, AGL, and Direct Infrastructure has submitted a feasibility licence application for a 2.5 GW offshore wind development off the coast of Victoria, Australia.

The proposed 2.5 GW project has the potential to generate economic benefits to Australia including more than AUD 3.7 billion economic value added and the creation of over 8,600 full-time equivalent jobs according to the consortium’s initial socioeconomic impact study.

In addition, the development phase will include an investment package of AUD 400 million to support workforce and supply chain development, enable the transition of Australian industry, and create local benefits.

The area in the Bass Strait off Gippsland, Victoria, was the first offshore wind zone to be declared by the Australian Government.

The declared area offshore Victora covers about 15,000 square kilometres offshore and runs from Lakes Entrance in the east to south of Wilsons Promontory in the west. The area can support more than 10 GW of offshore wind capacity.

It is estimated that the offshore wind projects off Gippsland could support more than 3,000 jobs over the next 15 years during their development and construction phases, and an additional 3,000 ongoing operational jobs.

Australia’s Ministry for Climate Change and Energy opened the invitation period for feasibility licence applications for the Gippsland area in January this year.

There are already several companies that submitted their bid for a feasibility licence for offshore wind farm projects in Victoria, including Parkwind which joined forces with Beach Energy.

Also, SSE Renewables and Equis Development established a 50/50 consortium in April for offshore wind development in Australia.