Gippsland’s secret offshore wind superpower

One of six designated offshore wind zones, Gippsland has a secret superpower – but it’s not the region’s abundant wind resources.

While the Federal and Victorian Governments work to lay the foundations for an offshore wind industry off its coast, Gippsland locals are working just as hard to drive the energy transformation from the grassroots up.

Workers look beyond coal

Russell is a third-generation power station worker in Gippsland. Like his father and grandfather before him, Russell has dedicated himself to powering Victoria, working in the Latrobe Valley’s coal industry.

But at just 32, and with Gippsland’s remaining power stations set to close in coming years, Russell is looking for a new future in power generation.

Eager to bring the skills and knowledge his family has cultivated for decades; he is one of many workers ready to continue their proud legacy in powering our state.

Gippsland has been an energy powerhouse for a century. And today it’s ready to lead us into a clean energy future – a future built on offshore wind.

 

A community united

When the Hazelwood coal fired power station closed with only six months’ notice, it left hundreds of families in the Latrobe Valley shocked and struggling to find a way forward.

This moment galvanised the region to take charge of its own future, with local leaders coming together to ensure Gippsland would not just survive, but thrive – this time with renewable energy.

Today in Gippsland, both old and new energy providers work together to help the region transition – determined to deliver new energy, jobs and opportunity.

Partnerships across industry and education providers are helping workers like Russell consider new opportunities with confidence.

Australia’s first offshore wind project, Star of the South, has partnered with Energy Australia, Federation University, and TAFE Gippsland to create clear pathways from coal to renewables, to develop wind turbine and hydraulics technicians from the current power station workforce.

Business and community groups are making local voices heard to support offshore wind.

The Committee for Gippsland and the Gippsland Climate Change Network play a key role in bringing together business, industry, and local stakeholders to focus on the region’s energy priorities.

Plans for this new era of renewable energy are founded on respect and genuine partnership with Traditional Owners. The Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) is working to build opportunities and investment supporting Gunaikurnai’s long-term economic and cultural aspirations.

 

Policy and progress

Already, 12 feasibility licenses have been awarded to proponents ready to begin the environmental and regulatory process. With the Victorian Government setting a 2GW target by 2032, backed by federal support, investment certainty has been strong.

The road ahead includes the creation of thousands of jobs and new opportunities, and a concerted effort to support the community at every stage of the transition.

Recently, Federal Assistant Minister for a Future Made in Australia Tim Ayres and I met with local businesses, unions, and industry leaders. The message was clear: Gippsland is ready to seize the opportunities of clean energy.

Local businesses want to continue to provide jobs by supplying their fabricated metal products, Indigenous-led security services, and everything in between to offshore wind.

Offshore wind offers more than an energy solution; it’s an opportunity for Australia to lead in clean energy manufacturing. With key alignment to the Federal National Reconstruction Fund and Future Made in Australia framework, there is a bright future for offshore wind and its supply chain in Gippsland.

Critical to this future is a legislated Net Zero Economy Authority, ensuring new investment to create jobs and support workers through the transformation in Gippsland, and in other coal heartlands across the country too.

Offshore wind is about more than just generating power; it’s about creating opportunities and honouring a commitment to workers, communities, and Traditional Owners.

 

Standing strong for the future

Federal and State Governments have driven investment certainty in offshore wind by setting up the framework for the industry, along with targets for energy generation.

Clear community support across Gippsland has been critical in driving investment certainty too.

This is a pivotal moment for this region and workers like Russell who want a future in power generation.

Indeed, Gippsland has the natural resources to power Australia for years to come with offshore wind. But it is the community’s expertise, hard work, and unwavering commitment to its renewable future that is its true superpower.

This article was published in Energy Magazine.