Victoria’s next strategic plan for transmission and renewable energy zone development with a 25-year outlook.
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2027 Victorian Transmission Plan
We have started planning for the 2027 Victorian Transmission Plan (VTP) which takes a 25-year view of the state’s transmission, renewable energy generation and storage needs.
The Victorian Transmission Plan will guide future renewable energy, storage and transmission infrastructure development to help ensure Victorians have reliable and affordable electricity as we transition away from coal.
The recently declared renewable energy zones will serve as a basis for the 2027 plan. As part of the proposed methodology, we will look at whether they can meet Victoria’s future energy needs and, if required, identify potential locations for further zones.
Each time VicGrid updates the Victorian Transmission Plan, we will prepare and consult on new a new set of guidelines for the plan.
These are known as the Victorian Transmission Plan Guidelines. They outline the methodology for developing the plan, including different generation, transmission and energy need scenarios.
2026 Victorian Transmission Plan guidelines
The draft 2026 Victorian Transmission Plan guidelines outline how VicGrid will develop the 2027 Victorian Transmission Plan.
They include important information about how VicGrid will identify and investigate areas potentially suitable to support renewable energy zones and determine what transmission projects Victoria needs to support new energy generation.
As part of planning for the 2027 plan, we have now released the draft guidelines for consultation.
The guidelines include information about how we propose to:
determine how much energy Victoria needs
assess if the declared renewable energy zones can accommodate Victoria’s future energy needs and, if required identify potential new areas for investigation
identify what new or upgraded transmission infrastructure is needed and where
partner with Traditional Owners and engage with landholders, communities and industry on the development of the plan.
The methodology for developing the 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan, as detailed in the 2024 Victorian Transmission Plan guidelines, has been refined in the draft 2026 guidelines. Updates have been made to reflect the following:
Extended planning period – The 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan took a 15-year outlook, while the 2027 plan will take a 25-year outlook.
Declared renewable energy zones – Since the 2025 plan, six renewable energy zones have been declared. Rather than starting with a broader study area assessment, the declared zones will serve as the basis for determining whether new areas are needed for generation and storage.
Changes in the energy market – The constantly evolving energy market means we need updated assumptions about how our energy needs are changing, which includes further consideration of future data centre development.
Feedback and inputs gathered from ongoing engagement with community, industry and Traditional Owners – Our engagement approach will build on these insights and ensure continued engagement throughout the development of the plan.
The approach to developing the 2027 plan remains scenario‑based and probabilistic, meaning we will consider a range of possible future energy needs and test different outcomes and uncertainties using energy market modelling, power system analysis and strategic land‑use analysis.
Our energy market modelling and analysis will incorporate refreshed inputs and assumptions.
Next steps
Submissions on the draft 2026 Victorian Transmission Plan Guidelines on Engage Victoria closed 26 June 2026.
We are now reviewing submissions on the draft guidelines to understand community and industry views and help ensure the final guidelines are clear and effective.
Frequently asked questions
The Victorian Transmission Plan is a long-term strategic plan that outlines how renewable energy generation, storage and transmission infrastructure should be developed to ensure Victorians have reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity as the energy system transitions away from coal.
We released the first Victorian Transmission Plan in 2025, which took a 15-year outlook. We’re now preparing for the 2027 plan, which will take a 25-year outlook. We will then update the plan every four years.
Each plan will outline how much new renewable energy is needed, the best place to generate that energy and the transmission infrastructure needed to transport it over a 25-year period. Each Victorian Transmission Plan will include recommended timings for implementation and actionable transmission projects to be developed over the first 10 years.
VicGrid is required under the National Electricity (Victoria) Act 2025 to review and update the Victorian Transmission Plan Guidelines before each new Victorian Transmission Plan is prepared.
This ensures the plan remains aligned with current energy policy objectives, market conditions and future electricity system needs.
The review allows VicGrid to update the scenarios, assumptions, modelling methods, consultation approach and transmission planning standards used to develop the plan so they reflect new information, technology developments, changes in energy demand and stakeholder feedback.
The 2027 Victorian Transmission Plan will build on the outcomes of the 2025 plan and the declared renewable energy zones. It will assess whether the transmission projects identified in the 2025 plan and the declared zones can meet Victoria’s energy needs over the next 25 years.
Where required, the 2027 plan will identify new transmission projects, with a focus on the projects needed in the coming 10 years, as well as potential new areas for future renewable energy generation and storage.
Since November 2023, we have actively engaged with community, industry, First Peoples and Traditional Owners at key stages in planning for renewable energy zones and supporting the development and delivery of transmission projects for Victoria.
We have considered relevant insights from ongoing conversations in developing the draft guidelines, including the draft assumptions and scenarios.
We are now inviting feedback on the draft guidelines to ensure the final guidelines are clear and effective.
As VicGrid develops the 2027 Victorian Transmission Plan we will assess whether the declared renewable energy zones can meet Victoria’s energy needs over the next 25 years.
For communities within and near to the declared renewable energy zones, this means that we will assess the extent to which the declared zones can meet Victoria’s energy needs over the next 25 years.
We may identify the need for additional renewable energy zones. Any proposals for new zones, if needed, would be subject to further community and stakeholder consultation, using the same process used to identify and refine the current zones.
We acknowledge that ongoing renewable energy and transmission planning can create uncertainty for affected communities, particularly as the zones proposed in the 2025 plan are only now being formally declared.
At the same time, we must continue to plan proactively for the long-term and keep pace with growing demand.
We are committed to balancing these priorities and progressing necessary planning while continuing to hear from communities about their views and priorities.
Visit Engage Victoria for information on how to get involved.
