31 July 2023

The Gippsland New Energy Conference is back

If you're interested in Gippsland's energy future, be sure to check out the Gippsland New Energy Conference in Sale from 30 August to 2 September - back bigger and better after a successful launch in 2022.

It’ll kick off on Wednesday 30 August with the Gippy Youth New Energy Job Summit, followed by a two-day conference, then a free community day on Saturday 2 September where you can find out about local projects and see an electric vehicle display.

We'll be there every day – please visit our information stand and say hello! Key members of our team are also taking part in conference panel discussions about ports, community engagement, marine environment studies and opportunities for local suppliers and workers.

Tickets to attend in person have sold out, but you can still get involved with online tickets and at the community day on Saturday. Find out more and book online tickets.

We'll also be joining colleagues from around the globe at the huge Global Wind Energy Council APAC Offshore Wind and Hydrogen Summit, on 29 - 31 August in Melbourne. If you’re involved in Australia’s offshore wind industry, this is one not to miss. Find out more.

*The Gippsland New Energy Conference launch in 2022 welcomed hundreds of motivated people to Sale*

A sustainable ocean future

Earlier this year we took part in the Ocean Business Leaders’ Summit, a gathering of 257 leaders from business, finance, science, research, community, and government to discuss big ideas for protecting the ocean and growing a sustainable ocean economy.

This month, Ocean Decade Australia released a White Paper detailing these discussions and making recommendations. This will be a key input to the Australian Government’s Sustainable Ocean Plan to ensure our oceans are 100 per cent sustainably managed by 2025.

You can read the White Paper here.

*Our Chief Development Officer, Erin, joined Ocean Decade Australia’s Jas and Lucy to launch the White Paper this month*

Experiencing offshore wind in the UK

Our Regional Engagement Manager Paul recently spent a week in the UK, learning how they’re harnessing offshore wind to power their energy transition.

He joined a boat tour to get up close to an offshore wind farm, followed by a visit to an offshore wind visitor centre which he described as “a Scienceworks for offshore wind”.

Paul said the experience showed him first-hand the benefits offshore wind can bring to local communities. With six private boat operators offering tours the same wind farm, it has proven to be a hit with locals, tourists, divers and fishermen alike.

“It was a privilege to see turbines operating in the ocean and I loved hearing how the visitor centre is connecting with many community members and sharing valuable information about offshore wind. But the fish and chips there were terrible – no comparison to our fresh Gippsland seafood,” he said.

*Paul saw offshore wind turbines for the first time*

Making the move to offshore wind

Did you know that many Australians already have the core skills needed to work in offshore wind? Find out if you’re one of them, using our recently released guide for workers - Making the move to offshore wind.

The regions next in line for offshore wind

It’s been another big month for offshore wind around Australia.

1,854km2 of the Pacific Ocean, off the Hunter Valley, was recently declared the second offshore wind development zone after Gippsland. This area has the potential to generate up to 5GW of wind energy.

Consultation is also open on a third offshore wind zone, in the Southern Ocean off Victoria’s south-west coast and South Australia.

Find out more and get involved.

*Star of the South team members Erin and Michael, pictured with the Hon. Chris Bowen MP, in Newcastle*

VicGrid consulting on Gippsland transmission

Following consultation earlier this year on new transmission to connect offshore wind projects to the grid in Gippsland, VicGrid has released a draft assessment method for discussion.

We encourage you to get involved in an upcoming round table discussion or drop-in session:

Giffard West community round tables: 9 August, Session 1: 2.00pm – 4.00pm or Session 2: 6.00pm – 8.00pm, Giffard West Public Hall.
Flynn drop-in session: 10 August, 3pm – 6pm, Flynn Community Hall
Morwell drop-in session: 12 August, 10.00am – 2.00pm, Latrobe Valley GovHub, 65 Church Street Morwell.

Find out more and register online.

Building an inclusive offshore wind industry for Australia

Women make up around 20 per cent of the global offshore wind workforce. In Australia, we're setting out to boost this number by creating a more diverse and inclusive industry from the very beginning.

Women of Offshore Wind, founded by female leaders in Australia's growing offshore wind industry - including our very own Erin Coldham, was launched last week to promote equality and celebrate and support women.

More than 400 attendees, who all donned a touch of pink, heard from special guests who shared stories, ambitions and ideas for making our energy sector more inclusive, including The Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio MP, Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources and the State Electricity Commission; Daniel Miller, CEO of the Gunaikurnai Land Waters Aboriginal Corporation; and Nina Taylor MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Training and Skills.

Find out more about Women of Offshore Wind.

Project update - July 2023