Status
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Background
Proponent: VicGrid
The Gippsland Offshore Wind Transmission 2 GW project is proposed to connect future offshore wind energy generation off the coast of Gippsland to the existing Victorian electricity grid. The transmission line is proposed to connect to a new onshore connection hub near Giffard and a substation near the Loy Yang Power Station in the Latrobe Valley. The project does not include any offshore infrastructure.
The proposed project comprises:
- Development, construction and operation of approximately 55 km of new 500 kV overhead, double circuit alternating current transmission line, supported by a series of above-ground towers.
- An onshore connection hub, including high-voltage substation plant and equipment, with transformers, synchronous condensers and switchgear. This would provide future offshore wind energy facilities with a shared connection point to access the grid.
- A grid connection substation near the Loy Yang Power Station. This may comprise new bays installed within the existing switchyard at the existing Declared Shared Network at Loy Yang Power Station to allow connection of the new high voltage circuits.
The project study area is approximately 55 km in length and varies in width from 3-12 km. It starts about 6 km from the coast near Giffard and extends north-west past Stradbroke West to Willung, across to Flynns Creek to the Loy Yang Power Station. VicGrid intends to investigate the study area further to define a preferred corridor, and ultimately to identify a preferred route for the transmission line. The preferred route will form the basis of a reference design for the impact assessment in the EES.
VicGrid is managing the Project on behalf of the Victorian Government.
Process
Scoping requirements
The scoping requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented in the environment effects statement (EES).
The draft scoping requirements for this EES are on public exhibition between 20 March and 10 April 2025. Submissions are invited via the Engage Victoria platform.
After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning will issue the final scoping requirements, which will be uploaded to this page.
Consultation plan
VicGrid has prepared a consultation plan for the EES, outlining the opportunities and approaches for community engagement during the preparation of the EES. The plan may be updated as required during the preparation of the EES. If the plan changes, the updated version will be posted on this page.
Technical Reference Group
The Department of Transport and Planning has convened an inter-agency Technical Reference Group at the request of the Minister for Planning to advise the department and the proponent on scoping and adequacy of the EES studies and documentation, as well as co-ordination of the EES process with other statutory processes for the project.
The organisations represented on the Technical Reference group are:
- Agriculture Victoria
- Country Fire Authority
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) Planning and Environment Assessment
- Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) State Planning Assessment and Facilitation
- DTP Transport (Gippsland)
- EPA Victoria
- First Peoples - State Relations
- Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation
- Heritage Victoria
- Latrobe City Council
- Parks Victoria
- Wellington Shire Council
- West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.
Technical Reference Group representatives are supported by technical experts on specific aspects of the EES studies.
Minister’s decision on referral
On 6 August 2024, the Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources provided the Minister for Planning with a Project Outline to inform a decision on whether to declare the project described in the Project Outline to be 'public works' for the purposes of section 3(1) of the Environment Effects Act.
On 24 September 2024, the Minister for Planning declared the works proposed for the Gippsland Offshore Wind Transmission 2 GW Project as public works requiring an environment effects statement (EES), including community consultation and an independent panel review to inform the Minister's Assessment and decision-making.
In accordance with normal EES practice, a statement of the Minister's Reasons for Order has been prepared.
Project contact
If you have questions about the project, please get in touch via the contact details below.
VicGrid
☎ Phone: 1800 418 341
✉ Email: vicgrid@deeca.vic.gov.au
Page last updated: 20/03/25