THE first feasibility study licences have been announced for six potential offshore wind farms in Gippsland and three of them could be located within 10km off the beach near Woodside, Seaspray and Golden Beach near Yarram.
And despite the assurances of the Federal Government that no wind farms would be located west of Wilsons Promontory, two feasibility studies have been approved for Gippsland Skies Pty Ltd and Kut-Wut Brataualung Pty Ltd in an area south west of the Prom but well out to sea in Bass Strait.
The Federal Government, which announced the successful tenderers on Wednesday, May 1 characterised the announcement as “Australia’s offshore wind industry being a step closer to reality”.
“The Albanese Government is a step closer to unlocking the power and jobs of offshore wind off Gippsland in Victoria, with the first feasibility licences awarded for projects today,” they said.
“Offshore wind represents a huge opportunity for regional Australia, providing reliable renewables to power homes and heavy industry while creating thousands of highly skilled and well-paid jobs.
“Six potential projects have been granted or offered feasibility licences, which means they can now commence the detailed assessment work to determine feasibility, including environmental studies and management plans.
“Consultation with First Nations groups, communities, and marine users will continue throughout the feasibility licence process.
“If feasibility is proven, developers can then apply for a commercial licence to build an offshore wind project to generate electricity commercially.”
These include:
- High Sea Wind Pty Ltd
- Gippsland Skies Pty Ltd
- Blue Mackerel North Pty Ltd
- Kut-Wut Brataualung Pty Ltd
- Ørsted Offshore Australia 1 Pty Ltd (Gippsland 01)
- Star of the South Wind Farm Pty Ltd
The Government intends to grant another six licences, subject to First Nations consultation.
These include:
- Iberdrola Australia OW 2 Pty Ltd (Aurora Green)
- Greater Gippsland 2 OWP Project Pty Ltd (Gippsland Dawn)
- Navigator North Project Pty Ltd
- Ørsted Offshore Australia 1 Pty Ltd (Gippsland 02)
- Kent Offshore Wind Pty Ltd
- Great Eastern Offshore Wind Farm Project Co Pty Ltd
They say these 12 projects could generate 25 GW of electricity, as compared to Loy Yang A in the Latrobe Valley, due to close in 2035, which has a generation capacity of 2.2 GW.
The proposed projects could create over 15,000 jobs during construction and another 7500 ongoing jobs.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said Australia’s offshore wind industry presents a huge opportunity for the regions that have powered our country for generations.
“Australia’s first offshore wind zone has hit a new milestone, with reliable renewables and secure jobs a step closer for Gippsland,” Mr Bowen said.
“Granting feasibility licences is the next step to helping deliver a new clean energy industry for Australia, as well as future proof energy security and reliability for Victoria.
“I’ve awarded feasibility licences to projects that would bring the most rewards for Gippsland, its workforce and for our energy security.”
Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said projects in the Gippsland offshore wind zone will be key to delivering the state’s renewable energy transition and meeting targets of at least 2 gigawatts of offshore wind energy generation by 2032, 4 GW by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040.
“We’re proud to be paving the way for the country’s first offshore wind farms which will harness our world class offshore wind resources and power homes and businesses across Australia with renewable energy.”
“These offshore wind projects will also support thousands of jobs in Gippsland and across the supply chain – opening up new opportunities for skills development within the renewable energy industry.”
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