Powering the Future: Star of the South Deepens Indigenous Ties for Australia’s Landmark Offshore Wind Project
Oct 6
3 min read
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The landscape of Australian energy is undergoing a significant transformation, led by large-scale renewable projects. Off the coast of Gippsland, Victoria, the Star of the South initiative—Australia’s most advanced offshore wind development—recently secured a crucial partnership, setting a national benchmark for combining clean energy infrastructure with genuine cultural stewardship.
Custodianship and Connection: The Gunaikurnai Agreement
The success of major infrastructure projects in Australia increasingly hinges on respectful and enduring partnerships with Traditional Owners. The Star of the South project has cemented its commitment by signing a landmark engagement agreement with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC).
This agreement formalizes a relationship that spans seven years, ensuring the Gunaikurnai people are integral to the project's feasibility and future operations. The partnership is strategically focused on three core pillars:
Cultural Protection: Upholding and safeguarding cultural heritage throughout the project area.
Economic Empowerment: Creating sustainable long-term jobs, training programs, and career pathways for Traditional Owners.
Collaborative Decision-Making: Ensuring Gunaikurnai voices guide critical environmental and development choices.
This collaborative model is essential, demonstrating that nation-building renewable energy projects can, and must, align with the protection and healing of Country.
Victoria’s Energy Anchor: The Star of the South Vision
The Star of the South is poised to become an undeniable pillar of Victoria’s energy supply, designed to significantly contribute to the state’s ambitious renewable targets.
Project Scale and Impact
Capacity: The project is proposed to deliver up to 2.2 GW (gigawatts) of clean power.
Power Supply: This capacity is sufficient to power approximately 1.2 million homes, potentially covering up to 20% of Victoria’s electricity needs.
Economic Benefit: Construction and operation are projected to inject $3 billion into the regional economy and create around 200 long-term local jobs over its estimated three-decade operational lifespan.
Currently operating under a feasibility license, the project is undergoing intensive environmental assessments and planning approvals. Should these processes conclude successfully, construction could commence before the end of the decade, with first power generation targeted for 2030. This timeline supports Victoria’s official objective of having 2 GW of offshore wind operational by 2032.
The Australian Opportunity in Offshore Wind
Globally, offshore wind is a rapidly accelerating sector, with capacity reaching 83 GW worldwide as of mid-2025. While Australia has been slower to develop this resource, the success and scale of the Star of the South are positioning the country as a serious emerging player in clean energy generation.
Offshore wind offers distinct advantages over traditional land-based generation, particularly its high capacity factors (the ability to generate power consistently) and its proximity to major coastal population centers like Melbourne. Projects such as this are vital for stabilizing the grid as coal-fired power stations retire, ensuring Victoria maintains energy reliability during its green transition.
EServices4U: Bridging National Ambition to Local Action
The massive scale of the Star of the South project illustrates Australia's commitment to large-scale clean energy innovation. However, achieving a sustainable future requires participation at every level—from multi-gigawatt wind farms to individual homes and businesses.
At EServices4U, we specialize in connecting Australians with personalized clean energy solutions. We understand that while projects like Star of the South shift the national energy mix, local efficiency and generation remain critical for managing costs and reducing carbon footprints.
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