Siemens to support Gippsland's energy transition

Siemens has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Marathon Group, a long-term renewable energy developer in Gippsland, Victoria, to help support the region’s energy transition.

The Gippsland corridor will be crucial to recently announced offshore wind projects proposed for development off Gippsland’s coast.

The MOU comes at a time when Gippsland is retiring its existing coal-fired power stations. Securing the energy transmission corridor and working collaboratively with the community and local business is pivotal to this transition and a key intent of the MOU.

Making the announcement to customers and stakeholders at the recent Siemens Beyond 1% event in Melbourne, Peter Halliday, CEO of Siemens Australia and New Zealand, said, “Over a century ago, in 1911, Siemens’ consulting engineers advised the state of Victoria that Latrobe Valley in Gippsland should be the state’s electricity hub. This led to the construction of the Yallourn Power Station, the first large power station in the valley that helped establish the region as an electricity powerhouse.

“113 years later, we’re proud to announce the MOU with Marathon Group to help the region and the communities through the next phase of energy transition.”

Marathon Group is a consolidated group of companies that has played an important role in Gippsland’s energy system since the group’s foundation almost 40 years ago. Some of its projects in the region have included a waste to hydrogen circular economy project, large-scale solar, containerised renewables and hydrogen, major transport and infrastructure developments, and large-scale storage.

“Gippsland is one of the most significant regions in Australia when it comes to the energy transition,” said Brett Singh, founder and Director of Marathon Group of companies. “Some of the largest power stations in the country that are in this region will soon be retired to make way for new forms of energy, which is great news.”

Singh said that a once-in-a-generation transition such as Gippsland’s needed significant focus, collaboration and consultation to ensure systems are put into place that are sustainable now and in future. “Having worked in the local community for almost 40 years, we not only have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities of the region but are deeply committed to doing what’s best for our communities, our people and for our future generations.

“However, we can’t go at it alone, which is why it’s great to have a global technology giant like Siemens, who have supported Victoria’s energy journey since the beginning, now continuing to support our region as we transition to a more renewable future.”

Image caption: (L–R) Peter Halliday, Siemens; Brett Singh, Marathon Group; Brett Watson, Siemens; Ian Bye, Mayor of Wellington Shire. Image: Supplied.