Local industry to play billion-dollar role in offshore wind

1 September 2023

Billions of dollars of opportunities for Australian businesses to supply the offshore wind industry have been uncovered in a supply chain study by Star of the South, Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project proposed in Gippsland.

The study found hundreds of Gippsland businesses already have capabilities the offshore wind industry will need – from steel components to port services, civil construction and engineering companies.

Star of the South today launched the Offshore Wind Supplier Showcase to promote and connect these local businesses with buyers around the world.

This follows two years working with global suppliers, local industry, Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, local government and state agencies to understand what offshore wind suppliers need to buy and what Gippsland, Victoria and Australia can supply.

More than 450 businesses are featured, ranging from sole traders to major contractors, with a focus on Aboriginal and Gippsland-based suppliers.

“Victoria will be the home of Australia’s first offshore wind farms and Gippsland’s skilled workforce and supply chain capabilities perfectly positions them to benefit from the industry,” said Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio.

“Our offshore wind energy target of 2 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity by 2032, 4GW by 2035 and 9GW by 2040 will create over 6,000 jobs and generate billions in investment,” she said.

Star of the South Chief Development Officer Erin Coldham launched the Offshore Wind Supplier Showcase at Sale-based Tequa Plumbing and Civil, one of more than 250 Gippsland businesses featured in the showcase.

“We’re committed to buying locally so that local people benefit – starting with Gippsland, then the rest of Victoria, and Australia – and we expect all our contractors to do the same,” Ms Coldham said.

 “There are some really exciting opportunities for local businesses to get involved. The steel fabrication work alone is valued at tens of millions of dollars and we know there are several Latrobe Valley businesses who could leverage their current capability to deliver this.”

 “This showcase puts Gippsland businesses of all types and sizes up in lights on the global stage – it’s just one way to help local businesses connect with the big contractors that will service this industry in a few years’ time,” she said.

Tequa Plumbing and Civil CEO Trent Fairweather is enthusiastic about the opportunities for his business in the offshore wind industry.

“Gippsland has a long history in the energy sector, and is at the forefront of this new industry coming to Australia and we have a lot to offer,” he said.

“New work for Tequa and other local businesses means more jobs for locals and more money that stays in the economy”.

Star of the South will present the Showcase to major Australian and global contractors to highlight opportunities to buy local before starting procurement in the coming years, pending project approvals.

To download the Offshore Wind Supplier Showcase visit starofthesouth.com.au/suppliers

The Offshore Wind Supplier Showcase was co-funded by the Victorian Government, through the Energy Innovation Fund, and Star of the South.

About Star of the South

Star of the South is Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project, proposed off the coast of Gippsland in Victoria with an installed capacity of up to 2.2 GW. Star of the South would help meet energy, emissions reduction, and economic goals by supplying renewable energy for more than 1.2 million homes, creating thousands of jobs and investing billions in the local economy. The project has been developed under a Commonwealth Exploration Licence since 2019 and is currently in the advanced stages of feasibility studies and environmental assessments, targeting first power by the end of the decade, subject to government assessment and approval decisions. Star of the South is backed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), one of the world’s leading clean energy investors, and Cbus Super, a leading Australian industry super fund.