Victoria to Launch Australia’s First Offshore Wind Auction

The Australian government has confirmed it will move ahead with the nation’s first offshore wind auction, to be held in the state of Victoria.

Victoria’s Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, announced that the auction will open in August 2026, offering an initial 2GW of offshore wind capacity.

In December, federal and state authorities granted in-principle backing for the Electricity Services Entry Mechanism, which is designed to support new renewable energy developments, including offshore wind, as part of Victoria’s broader clean energy targets.

The government said Victoria possesses some of the strongest offshore wind resources globally. Developing these projects is expected to diversify and strengthen the state’s energy supply, particularly as older coal-fired power plants are phased out.

Officials also forecast that the offshore wind sector could create more than 6,000 jobs and attract billions of dollars in investment.

“We want to give industry the certainty it needs to invest and help us keep building the renewable energy Victoria needs to push down energy bills. We’re working closely with developers on the progress of this exciting auction to ensure strong competition to secure the best projects and best value for Victorians,” said D’Ambrosio.