Friends of the Earth links the move to Gippsland jobs and new power supply
Victoria began what Friends of the Earth described as Australia’s first offshore wind auction on 26 August 2026, with the group calling it a key step for projects to reach final investment decisions, construction and operation.
The environmental group welcomed the decision by the Ben Carroll government and argued the auction would give developers more certainty as the state tries to build an offshore wind industry.
Pat Simons, Friends of the Earth’s renewable energy spokesperson, said: “This is the critical next step for offshore wind to make this new industry a reality in Victoria and deliver on the promise of regional jobs and climate action”.
According to Friends of the Earth, offshore wind could create thousands of jobs in Gippsland, power as many as 1.2 million homes and cut electricity sector emissions as Victoria’s ageing coal-fired power stations close.
The organisation tied the auction to regional employment. It said the new sector could support work in construction, maintenance and engineering.
Yes2Renewables Gippsland organiser Wendy Farmer said Gippsland would welcome the announcement because support for a jobs-rich offshore wind industry runs deep in the region.
Farmer said Gippslanders could again be at the forefront of building Victoria’s energy system. She also pointed to career paths for young people in offshore wind.
Friends of the Earth said it has been surveying Gippslanders about offshore wind and found broad support for local jobs and community benefits. The group did not publish survey numbers.
VNI West dispute enters campaign
Meanwhile, the group connected energy policy to Victoria’s state election in November 2026. It said the Opposition has pledged to scrap the VNI West transmission line if elected.
Friends of the Earth argued that removing VNI West would stop a large amount of new renewable energy projects. The Liberal National party has offered in-principle support for offshore wind, the group said, but has not set out policies it believes would give investors enough certainty to build projects.
Simons said a lack of policies to drive renewable energy investment could leave Victorians exposed to supply shocks and price increases as coal plants shut. He also challenged the opposition to back offshore wind auctions as a way to secure new power supply for the state.
Friends of the Earth did not name any auction participants, project sites or timetable for final investment decisions, construction starts or first power. It also did not disclose how much capacity would be awarded in the first auction.
