BLUE MACKEREL NORTH PTY LTD
Blue Mackerel Offshore Wind Project
Overview
Blue Mackerel is a proposed offshore wind project that could deliver up to 1GW of renewable energy, powering up to 750,000 Victorian homes per year.
Backed by two of the world's leading energy companies, Blue Mackerel is strongly positioned to be one of Australia's first offshore wind operators.
By delivering large-scale renewable energy, Blue Mackerel could generate significant supply chain and employment opportunities. Blue Mackerel is committed to creating opportunities for Gippsland-based, Victorian and Australian businesses across various stages of our project.
Blue Mackerel was awarded Major Project Status by the Federal Government in December 2025, recognising the project's scale and economic significance to Australia.
About us
Blue Mackerel is being developed by JERA Nex bp, a 50:50 joint venture between JERA Co and bp. With more than 15 years' global experience in offshore wind, JERA Nex bp is one of the world's largest offshore wind companies and an end-to-end developer, owner and operator.
Locations and activities
Offshore licence area
Blue Mackerel's 163km2 licence area is located in the Gippsland, Victoria declared offshore wind area, and is 10km off the coast of Brataualung and Tatungalung Country between Seaspray and Woodside Beach.
Early stage marine geophysical and geotechnical surveys and studies have been carried out to enable preliminary site layout and foundation design.
A two-year metocean study commenced in March 2025 with equipment temporarily moored within our licence area to understand wind, wave and current conditions.
Environment studies are underway to baseline the presence of marine flora and fauna to enable impact assessments as are cultural heritage assessments.
Commercial fishery and other marine user engagement and impact assessments are also underway. Construction equipment and materials will be shipped to the licence area for foundation installation, wind turbine assembly, connection of inter-array cables from turbines to two offshore substations.
Onshore transmission and substation
Onshore investigations for the transmission corridor location will include assessments of cultural heritage and values, environmental studies, and geotechnical and engineering studies. Landholders and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) will be consulted on these activities.
Two electricity export cables from the offshore substation will cross the shoreline in the declared Renewable Energy Zone, using horizontal directional drilling. Cables will be trenched and buried across private land, through to the onshore substation at Giffard, which will connect to the grid.
Onshore Operations and Maintenance Base (O&M)
An O&M hub will be established at Corner Inlet, South Gippsland, to support all monitoring and maintenance activities throughout the life of the project.
Offshore crews will work in shifts from a Service Operation Vessel (that includes accommodation quarters) and/or Crew Transfer Vessels to conduct all inspection and maintenance activities.
The project will also have a Melbourne office for various technical supporting roles.
Construction Port
The Victorian Government has commenced funding for development of the Port of Hastings as a suitable deep-water port to service the construction needs of the offshore wind industry.
Primary heavy infrastructure and secondary materials will be shipped and trucked to and from the Port of Hastings (and potentially other Australian deep-water ports if required).
Purpose built construction vessels will transport the equipment and materials to the licence area, install then return to the construction port for reloading and crew changes.
Contracting approach
Principal contracts
A well-established international supply chain of advanced manufacturers will supply and install core wind farm infrastructure.
The scale of the infrastructure and harsh operating environments will require heavy offshore construction vessels with highly specialized operational capabilities.
To meet these requirements, the offshore wind industry typically engages several principal contractors for its key work packages, and Blue Mackerel will also take this approach.
Secondary contracts
The principal contractors will award many different secondary contracts for equipment, materials, logistics and services.
Secondary contractor opportunities are displayed in the table below to help local businesses understand where and when the goods and services will be required.
Many of the work packages that will be available to secondary contractors will be required by more than one primary contractor.
Aboriginal-owned businesses
There will be opportunities for Aboriginal majority owned businesses to supply goods and services to Blue Mackerel and its contractors. If you are registered or certified with Kinaway or Supply Nation, please get in touch. We are building a list of Aboriginal majority-owned suppliers and connecting businesses to support strong local outcomes.
Ensuring a fair go
Blue Mackerel will assess how the Principal Contractors plan to maximise use of local suppliers as well as their actions in realising opportunities for First Nations businesses. Our principal contractors must also report to us on how they (and their secondary contractors) will create local jobs and build skills, provide opportunities for apprentices, women and First Nations workers.
Blue Mackerel - Local Content Declaration
Blue Mackerel's supplier engagement will meet the Victorian Government's Local Jobs First and Social Procurement Frameworks. This means we're embedding social, economic and environmental value into our procurement decisions.
More information:
Visit Blue Mackerel website
See our supplier information sheet under the "Key Documents" heading below.
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