VicGrid

Help shape VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission project Environment Effects Statement.   Public comment is now open on the draft Environment Effects Statement (EES) Scoping Requirements for VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission project. Share your thoughts on what the EES will assess, including environmental, social and economic impacts. 📢 How to get involved:  📝 Make a submission on Engage Victoria from Thursday 20 March to Thursday 10 April 2025 👉 https://lnkd.in/gMQFvbwt   📺 Join our webinar to learn more about offshore wind transmission planning in Gippsland, the EES process and how to make a submission on the draft Scoping Requirements on Wednesday 2 April, from 6 pm – 7.15 pm.    To register to attend visit https://lnkd.in/g8GFcx55 📍 Visit us at the VicGrid hub – open every Thursday, 10 am - 6 pm at 2-8 Cansick St, Rosedale.   Our specialist planning and environment teams will be at the hub on 27 March and 3 April. Your feedback helps shape the future of offshore wind in Gippsland ⚡ 📞 1800 418 341  📧 vicgrid@deeca.vic.gov.au  🔗 https://lnkd.in/gMQFvbwt 

⭐ 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 ‘𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻’ 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿. ⭐ We recognise true progress comes from actively challenging biases and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. 🤝 At VicGrid, we’re committed to building a workplace where diversity isn’t just a goal, but a reality. We acknowledge the invaluable skills of women across our organisation that are contributing the work we are doing to change the way energy infrastructure is planned and developed in Victoria. While we are proud of our current gender parity at VicGrid, we understand that representation alone isn’t enough.  We asked a few of our leaders, what are the unconscious biases that are most hindering the advancement of women in leadership roles, and how can we actively challenge them?   Jasmine Doak - 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 | 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲  “I think unconscious biases are often given a place to hide. We use a frame of - I am treating everyone equally and that's enough. But it isn't enough.”  “Instead, we need to ask ourselves the questions- how can I make this process more equitable? Who might be at a disadvantage coming into this process? What adjustments could I make?”      Adele McCarthy 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 | 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴   “An unconscious bias is the idea men don't have significant caring responsibilities. We become a more equal workplace and society when people of all genders feel supported to step up and speak up about how they make the juggle work.”  Anne Salt | 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹   “There is often an unconscious bias that showing vulnerability in the workplace is viewed as a weakness. As senior leaders, we need to challenge that thinking and understand that when we show up as a whole person, we encourage others to do the same.” “This can create stronger connections and a safer and more supportive work environment where team members are encouraged to be curious and take risks.” It’s important to openly discuss these barriers to equality to help bring about change.  We’ll continue to actively improve representation and gender balance at VicGrid and do what we can to encourage greater diversity in the energy sector.   👏 This IWD we invite you to join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below. #IWD2025 #InternationalWomensDay #AccelerateAction #DiversityandInclusion #VicGrid

We’re looking forward to taking part in the 5th Australian Offshore Wind Conference in Melbourne on 3 and 4 March. 📅 Offshore wind is key to Victoria’s transition to reliable renewable energy as we move away from ageing coal-fired power.  ✔️ Join our CEO Alistair Parker on day 2 of the conference as he provides an update on VicGrid’s critical work developing the shared transmission line to connect offshore wind energy generated off the Gippsland coast to the grid. ✔️ He’ll also cover VicGrid's new approach to planning renewable energy zones and transmission infrastructure, including the Victorian Access Regime. 🤝 We look forward to seeing you at the 5th Australian Offshore Wind Conference. 👇 Refer to the post below to register. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵: To learn more about our approach to transmission infrastructure development for offshore wind generation in Gippsland visit https://lnkd.in/gtwdCWs6 #InvestinRenewables #OffshsoreWindGippsland #EnergyTransition #VicGrid Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Victorian Government Informa Connect Australia

⚡ 🔋 Great to see another major milestone achieved in Victoria’s renewable energy transition. Koorangie Energy Storage System (KESS) on completion will house 100 Tesla Megapacks, large scale rechargeable lithium-ion batteries the size of shipping containers.   The KESS project is another step forward in enabling the electricity grid for renewable power, like wind and solar. It will boost the capacity of the grid in the Murray River region enabling more energy projects to be connected.   A single charge from this energy storage system will be able to power all the homes in the Gannawarra Shire Council area for more than 14 days or all the homes in Kerang for more than 30 days. This is another project contributed to through the Victorian Government’s $480 million Renewable Energy Zone Fund to strengthen and modernise the state’s grid. 

⭐️ VicGrid is excited to bring the 2025 National Renewables in Agriculture Conference to Victoria for the first time as a major sponsor. We recognise the crucial contribution the agriculture sector makes to Victoria’s economy, regional communities, food and water security and way of life. 🌿 🐄 The conference is a great opportunity for VicGrid to connect with farmers and organisations across the sector and to learn from their experiences and knowledge of farming practices and the energy transition. We look forward to sharing updates about our new long-term strategic plan for renewable energy zones and transmission.  🤝 The interests of farmers, regional communities, First Peoples and Traditional Owners, are being placed at the forefront of this plan. We know we need their input to get this right so we can minimise impacts, deliver real benefits and keep the lights on for all Victorian homes and businesses.   The conference is taking place in Bendigo in July. Further details will be released over the coming months.  🔗 To subscribe to our newsletter and to learn more about how we’re planning renewable energy and transmission infrastructure for Victoria, visit https://lnkd.in/gtwdCWs6 Karin Stark Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Victorian Government    #VicGrid #FarmRenewables #EnergyTransition #GenuineEngagement 

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁   VicGrid will host an industry webinar on Tuesday 4 February to provide more information and invite feedback about a key element of the Victorian Government’s new network access arrangements. 🤝 We released the Grid Impact Assessment Consultation Paper on 8 January, and we’re inviting feedback on our proposed approach from the energy industry and other partners and stakeholders.  The Grid Impact Assessment is being developed as part of the new Victorian Access Regime. The assessment will apply to generation and storage projects connecting to the Declared Shared Network (DSN) outside Victoria’s future renewable energy zones (REZs). The new approach will improve certainty for generators in Victoria’s REZs, attract investment and improve coordination of development to minimise impacts on communities, the environment, and electricity bills. 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿:  📅 Tuesday, 4 February  ⏰ 3:30pm to 4:30pm   🔗 Register via this link  - https://lnkd.in/gugh22gJ The webinar is an opportunity to find out more about the proposed assessment, ask questions and make a submission.  𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸  Visit the Engage Victoria website to read the consultation paper and for information about how to make a submission: https://lnkd.in/gxUkkF85.   Submissions close at 𝟭𝟭:𝟱𝟵𝗽𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟰 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱. VicGrid will consider feedback received as it develops draft Grid Impact Assessment Guidelines, intended to be released for consultation in the coming months.  𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵  📲 If you would like to find out more, email vicgrid@deeca.vic.gov.au   🌐 You can head to our website to learn about our projects, opportunities to invest, and ways to partner with VicGrid – https://lnkd.in/g5YXkegg #EnergyTransition #VicGrid #RenewableEnergy #InvestinRenewables Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Victorian Government Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)

DEECA Energy has launched a new LinkedIn newsletter, Vic Energy Source! It’s a great resource to help you stay informed about Victoria’s renewable energy journey. It brings together the work of all the government agencies, including VicGrid, and industry partners, that are working together to ensure we transition to a reliable, affordable, and safe energy system for generations to come. You’ll find out about the latest updates and insights shaping our energy system. Whether you’re an industry professional or simply interested in the transition to renewable energy and what this means to you, head to the post below to subscribe.

𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 We're excited to share progress on a key project that will allow more renewable energy to flow to homes and businesses in Victoria’s western region.  ✅ Construction has begun on a synchronous condenser (SynCon) near the Ararat Terminal station as part of the Victorian Government's $480 million investment to strengthen and modernise the grid. This project is critical to stabilising and balancing the network to allow more wind and solar energy from the region to feed into the grid. The intermittent nature of these energy sources can lead to fluctuations in voltage and frequency, with the SynCon providing the vital solution.     𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗖𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸?  The SynCon is a rotating machine that helps maintain a balance between power generation and consumption, quickly responding to sudden changes in power demand to stabilise the grid.  On completion in 2025, it will unlock up to 600 megawatts of renewable energy generation, providing system strength and supporting a reliable power grid for the region, as Victoria transitions to renewable energy.  ☀️ 🌬️ 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆  Australian Energy Operations, through its subsidiary, Transmission Operations Australia 3, is delivering the project on behalf of the Victorian Government and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).    Melbourne-based renewable construction company, Beon Energy Solutions, is building the SynCon using world-leading technology, helping to build Victoria’s renewable energy workforce.  This is a local project delivering affordable, reliable, and clean energy to local communities. And, like all our projects, there are local jobs and social procurement requirements so we can make the most of the regional economic opportunities. ✅ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲  🔗 Head to our website to learn about our projects, opportunities to invest, and ways to partner with VicGrid - vicgrid.vic.gov.au  #VicGrid #RenewableEnergy #AraratSynCon #ReliableEenergy #InvestInRenewables Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Pyrenees Shire Council Ararat Rural City Council

🌟 The VicGrid team would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season.    Thank you to everyone across the State who has worked with us throughout 2024 – it has been a big year. We’ve had incredible input from regional communities, landholders, Traditional Owners, and industry. People have been generous in sharing their knowledge to help us improve the way renewable energy zones and transmission infrastructure are planned. Your input has helped us reach important milestones.    📄 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸  We’ve released guidelines for the first Victorian Transmission Plan, due next year, which will set out a long-term strategic plan giving communities and industry certainty. We’ve shared a draft Renewable Energy Zone Community Benefits Plan to make sure the benefits of the energy transition are shared more fairly.   🌬️ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝗽𝗽𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱  We’re working with the Gippsland community to refine the study area for the transmission to support offshore wind energy. We’ve also kicked off an expression of interest process to select a development partner to work with us to deliver this project and help us realise the opportunities for local workers and businesses.  ⚡ 𝗨𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗱  VicGrid also made great progress this year on delivering the infrastructure upgrades we need to support the transition to renewables. We hit major milestones with the $480 million investment in projects to strengthen and modernise Victoria’s grid.   🤝𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺  We held our first industry forum this year, attended by more than 200 representatives from across the energy industry. A strong theme was collaboration between industry and government on a shared vision, which will be key to delivering the transition to renewable energy.   ✅  𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻  We are committed to working in partnership with Traditional Owners, and we respect their position as rights holders of Land and Sea Country and their right to self-determination.   We know there are incredible opportunities for the energy transition to deliver local benefits, create local jobs and grow local supply chains. We also know we can’t deliver these outcomes alone. We need to draw on the expertise of the energy industry to inform our thinking. Landholders have valuable local knowledge that can help minimise impacts. Agricultural industry groups also play a key role in giving us feedback that represents the interests of their members. VicGrid is committed to meaningful engagement so that together we can make sure the energy transition leaves a legacy for the people of Victoria.   👏 Thanks to everyone who made this year’s milestones possible. We look forward to connecting with you in 2025.  📲 Our office will be closed on public holidays. You can contact us via our Support Centre on 1800 418 341 or email vicgrid@deeca.vic.gov.au

This summer, the VicGrid team will be at the Rosedale Neighbourhood House every Thursday to answer questions about transmission planning in Gippsland and better support landholders and the broader community. Our Rosedale hub is designed to strengthen connections with the community, providing landholders and communities with a dedicated space to ask questions, provide feedback, and learn more about the planning of the offshore wind energy grid connection. 📅 Thursdays (closed on Boxing Day 26 December 2024) 🕒 19 Dec 2024 – 30 Jan 2025 | 1 pm – 6 pm 🕒 6 Feb – 27 Mar 2025 | 10 am – 6 pm 📍 2 - 8 Cansick Street, Rosedale Victoria For any questions call 1800 418 341 or email vicgrid@deeca.vic.gov.au