The Andrews Labor Government will deliver a thriving offshore wind energy sector, as work to plan and develop the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal off the Port of Hastings gets underway.

Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio and Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne this week visited the Port of Hastings on Western Port for a first look at the area where the terminal will be built, securing Victoria as the nation’s leader in offshore wind.

An investment of $27 million in theVictorian Budget 2023/24 will help create thousands of jobs, generate billions of dollars in investment and create renewable, reliable power for all Victorians from offshore wind farms.

Victoria will be the home of Australia’s first offshore wind farm – a key aim to achieve our offshore wind targets of at least 2GW by 2032, 4 GW by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040 – and help us deliver more than 6000 jobs as we work towards net zero by 2045.

There is currently no port in Australia that can facilitate large scale offshore wind construction, and this major development from the Labor Government will deliver critical, nation-leading enabling infrastructure.

The Port of Hastings has been selected as the most suitable port to assemble offshore wind infrastructure – with the benefits of large areas of zoned land it is close to existing port precincts, has deep water channels and is close to the offshore wind projects off the coast of Gippsland.

The terminal will undergo a thorough Environment Effects Statement (EES) process allowing the community to make submissions before the project progresses.

The terminal will be built at the Old Tyabb Reclamation Area, which is located within the existing port and industrial zone. It will be equipped for the receival, assembly and installation of offshore wind foundations, towers and turbines as a multi-user facility, with new berths, heavy duty pavements and major supporting infrastructure.

The Port of Hastings’ strategic importance is outlined in the government’s Victorian Commercial Ports Strategy.

For more information, visit energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/offshore-wind-energy.

Quote attributable to Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne

“This project will give industry further confidence to kick-start renewable energy projects and deliver thousands of ongoing job opportunities for Victorians in our renewable energy future.’’

Quote attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio

“Offshore wind is a key pillar of Victoria’s renewable energy future. It will create thousands of jobs, generate billions in investment and provide more reliable power for all Victorians.”