The 2.1 GW BlueFloat Energy Gippsland Dawn offshore wind project has been granted Major Project Status by the Australian government – one of 16 diverse projects nationwide to receive this recognition and only the second offshore wind projects being developed to hold this status.
The decision by Australian minister for industry and science, Ed Husic, has confirmed the granting of MPS as recognising the national significance of the project for Australia’s development of an offshore renewable energy industry and its energy transition.
This decision means a Major Projects Facilitation Agency case manager will work closely with BlueFloat Energy to assist and navigate government approvals processes. Minister Husic has also informed the Victoria state premier, Jacinta Allan, and several federal colleagues of the decision, encouraging their support, but he noted that the decision does not imply Australian government endorsement, or a guarantee of Gippsland Dawn’s financial success. The project still needs to go through federal and state approval processes.
The project was granted a feasibility licence earlier this year, and plans are now underway to install wind turbines and offshore substations in Bass Strait, situated between 10 and 33 km from the coast.
Capital investment of about $10 billion is proposed, with construction expected to begin in 2029 and the project projected to be operational by 2031. The project will create 2000 jobs during construction and up to 300 permanent jobs during operations and maintenance stages. The wind project has an operational lifespan of over 30 years
An onshore landing point for the transmission cable to connect the offshore wind farm to the electricity grid will be determined in line with VicGrid’s connection hub area investigations.
