The Victorian government will invest more than $124m to progress the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal at the Port of Hastings.
The funding will support the Environmental Effects Statement process for the proposed heavy-duty offshore wind port, the government said.
The terminal would enable turbine assembly before offshore installation and is undergoing environmental assessments and community consultation, it added.
The project is intended to support development of Victoria’s offshore wind industry and maintain Gippsland’s role in energy production.
An auction for the first 2GW of offshore wind capacity will open in August, enough to power 1.5 million homes.
The offshore wind sector is expected to create more than 2370 jobs at peak and generate billions in investment.
“Only Labor will build the offshore wind energy Victoria needs to power our homes and lower energy bills,” said Lily D’Ambrosio, minister for energy and resources.
“Labor is investing in renewable energy – do the Liberals support it, or will they cut it?”
“We are investing in the technical and environmental assessments at the Port of Hastings to ensure that we are protecting the Ramsar listed wetlands and have ensured that we are on the best footing to successfully meet the Environmental Effects Statement criteria,” said Melissa Horne, minister for ports and freight.