RPS deploys floating LiDAR buoy for Iberdrola Australia's first offshore wind project, Aurora Green

This initiates a wind and oceanographic data collection campaign off the Gippsland Coast in Victoria. 

The deployment of a floating LiDAR buoy and metocean measurement equipment is a critical early step for an offshore wind project. They measure wind from near the sea surface to high enough to cover the turbine blade range, plus waves, currents, and other metocean variables. Importantly, RPS’ unique technology compensates for the effect of buoy motion on measurements of turbulence intensity – a capability that sets it apart and improves data quality. 

Murray Burling, Executive Director, Oceans and Environment said

 “Offshore wind projects need bankable, low-uncertainty data to move forward. At RPS, we go beyond the standard. Our buoys directly measure wind resource and other parameters critical for design with the high accuracy and reliability required for these important measurements.

We are excited to be supporting Iberdrola Australia's Aurora Green project and our role in the energy transition here in Australia."

As further assurance of quality, RPS’ buoy platform is certified to Stage 3 on the Carbon Trust Offshore Wind Accelerator roadmap. This is the highest level of floating LiDAR performance validation, and the accreditation confirms the system’s ability to deliver wind measurements of sufficient accuracy for bankable project decisions, in line with global best practice. 

The 700 km² Aurora Green site, within Australia’s first declared offshore wind area, is located 25km off the Gippsland coast in Victoria. 

Following a feasibility licence granted in July 2024, and Management Plan approval in May 2025 by the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator, RPS' buoy deployment represents a vital project milestone.

The project has the potential to deliver up to 3 GW of electricity generation capacity, enough to power at least 2.25 million Victorian homes.