Ørsted Gains Strategic Licenses for Offshore Wind Projects in Australia

The Australian Government recently awarded Ørsted A/S, a major green energy company, feasibility licenses for developing their first offshore wind projects in Australia. With plans targeting large-scale wind farms off Gippsland, Victoria, these are set to be operational by the early 2030s. This initiative is part of the Victorian Government’s broader ambition to generate 9 GW of offshore wind energy by 2040.

The awarded licenses allow Ørsted exclusivity in developing two specific sites off the Victoria coast, 56 to 100 km away from Gippsland. These sites were chosen for their superior wind conditions and are beyond the visibility from the shore. Ørsted is expected to initiate site investigations, environmental assessments, and supply chain enhancements ahead of the upcoming state auctions, projecting to bid in late 2025.

Ørsted's proposed projects, driven by CEO for Region APAC, Per Mejnert Kristensen, aim at not only enhancing Australia’s renewable energy landscape but also fostering economic and social development in the region. Anticipated to generate a staggering combined capacity of 4.8 GW, these farms could power around four million Australian homes.