Sian Crampsie
The government of the Australian state of Victoria has welcomed plans for the development of the country’s first offshore wind farm.
The proposed development by Offshore Energy would involve the installation of up to 250 wind turbines in waters 10-25 km off the coast of Gippsland, Victoria. The wind farm – known as Star of the South – would deliver around 8000 GWh of energy per year – equivalent to around 18 per cent of Victoria’s consumption.
According to the Andrews Labour government, the feasibility phase of the project will last for three years. Offshore Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Commonwealth and Victorian governments to progress the permitting process.
If the project goes ahead, it is hoped the windfarm could be generating power in time to contribute to the Victorian government’s renewable energy target of 40 per cent renewable electricity by 2025.
“Offshore wind would add to Victoria’s system capacity and security as Australia transitions to a more diverse energy mix,” said Victoria’s Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio. “A new renewable power generator of this size would drive down electricity prices, and we’ll support Offshore Energy wherever we can to progress this study.”
