AUSTRALIA —Victoria’s state grid planning body, VicGrid, has named Spanish infrastructure group ACCIONA as the preferred partner to develop shared transmission infrastructure for a major 2 gigawatt (GW) offshore wind integration project in Gippsland. Under the agreement, ACCIONA will oversee early-stage design, procurement, and project management for an overhead power line running from a proposed terminal near Giffard to the Loy Yang switchyard, before submitting a final construction offer. The high-voltage connection is projected for completion in 2031, providing sufficient capacity to supply an estimated 1.5 million residences.
This initiative represents a key structural component of Victoria’s renewable energy roadmap, enabling large-scale offshore generation to enter the state electricity grid as legacy coal-fired generation facilities prepare for scheduled decommissioning over the coming decade. By establishing high-capacity transmission capacity in Gippsland, regional authorities aim to maintain grid stability, prevent transmission bottlenecks, and secure long-term power delivery across southeastern Australia.
The procurement decision highlights growing commercial opportunities for international engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) conglomerates within Australia’s clean energy transition market. The contract scope requires extensive coordination across landholder engagement, Traditional Owner consultations, cultural heritage assessments, and environmental impact evaluations, establishing a regulatory benchmark for major linear infrastructure projects nationwide.
For energy developers and institutional investors, the establishment of dedicated shared network infrastructure reduces grid connection risk for offshore wind farms slated for Bass Strait. ACCIONA is a Madrid-headquartered multinational infrastructure and renewable energy firm with established Australian operations across major public transport, civil construction, and energy projects. VicGrid is a Victorian government entity responsible for planning and delivering grid expansion to integrate new generation sources safely and efficiently.
