Australia: The Star of the South offshore wind project, set to power up to 20 % of Victoria’s electricity needs, has reached a major milestone with a new engagement agreement between project developers and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC).
The agreement cements a seven-year partnership and ensures that the Gunaikurnai people will remain actively involved throughout the project’s feasibility phase, helping to guide decision-making and safeguard cultural heritage.
GLaWAC Acting CEO Charee Smith said the agreement reflects the shared commitment to responsible development. “Our role is to protect Country, uphold cultural heritage, and, should the project proceed, create real opportunities for healing, jobs, and long-term community benefit,” Smith stated.
The Star of the South, Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project, has the potential to generate 2.2 GW of renewable energy, enough to power 1.2 million Victorian homes. If completed, it could contribute $3 B to the Gippsland economy and create more than 200 local jobs across three decades of operations.
Currently progressing under a feasibility licence, the project is undergoing environmental, planning, and approval processes. Pending successful outcomes, construction could begin later this decade, with first power expected by 2030, supporting Victoria’s offshore wind energy target of 2 GW by 2032.
Globally, offshore wind continues to accelerate, with 83 GW of installed capacity and an additional 8 GW added in 2024, underscoring its role as a key pillar of the global energy transition.
Source: Energy Magazine
