Australia's Victoria state has identified a preferred transmission route to connect the first offshore wind projects off the Gippsland coast to the state's electricity grid, as it advances infrastructure for the country's inaugural offshore wind auction, local media reported on Spetmber 21.

The 60-kilometer route will run between the Loy Yang Power Station switchyard and a proposed terminal station at Giffard, with a 200-meter-wide corridor accommodating shared transmission infrastructure.

The auction will deliver 2 GW of capacity, enough to power about 1.5 million homes. Offshore wind is expected to attract more than $20 billion in investment to Victoria, including $3.1 billion from the first auction for Gippsland communities.

VicGrid, the state body coordinating renewable energy zones and transmission infrastructure, has refined the route since 2023 through consultation with landholders, communities and stakeholders, alongside environmental, cultural heritage and technical studies. It is now discussing indicative tower locations, construction activities and transmission easements with affected landholders.

The resulting reference design will be assessed through an Environment Effects Statement, expected to be exhibited for public submissions in early 2027, with final tower and easement locations refined through further consultation.

Energy and Resources Minister Jaclyn Symes said Gippsland has powered Victoria for generations and offshore wind will keep it an energy powerhouse, creating thousands of jobs and attracting billions in investment.