GEELONGPORT has thrown its hat in the ring to become Victoria’s next offshore wind hub, to support the state’s growing renewable energy industry.
The port authority says it is aiming to develop up to 25 hectares of land at its Oyster Cove site and build a new offshore wind farm terminal to support the renewables industry in the Gippsland and Southern Ocean zones.
On 20 September, the Committee for Geelong convened an event with Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Corio Richard Marles to showcase the preparations for GeelongPort’s renewables terminal.
GeelongPort says the terminal is designed for a streamlined environmental approvals pathway, aiming for delivery of the project in late 2028 or early 2029, in line with the Victorian Government’s development targets.
GeelongPort CEO Brett Winter said was looking forward to working with both the federal and state governments to achieve their renewable energy targets.
“Achieving Australia’s renewable energy targets will require both public and private sectors to come together and work hand in glove to accelerate the project,” he said.
“We believe our new terminal can be a cornerstone of Victoria’s multi-port strategy to support the establishment of the offshore wind sector and achieve two gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2032.
“Given the natural advantages of the Oyster Cove site and the speed at which we can get our project up and running, we are well placed to help get this new industry off the ground and achieve Australia’s offshore wind targets.”
The news of Geelong’s pitch comes after the federal government in January this year blocked plans to develop an offshore wind terminal at Victoria’s Port of Hastings.
That project was rejected by the government on the grounds that it posed “clearly unacceptable impacts” for surrounded wetlands and wildlife.
GeelongPort says its site at Oyster Cove has the required space and berth depth for a terminal to facilitate the supply of wind farm equipment to offshore wind development zones.
Deputy PM Marles said the Geelong renewables terminal would play an important role in driving the growth of renewable energy and boosting the Geelong region economy.
“Unlocking the power of offshore wind in Australia will help power the nation,” Deputy PM Marles said.
“This will see significant economic benefits for the wider Geelong region, with the project forecast to create more than 4,200 direct and indirect jobs for Victorians during construction and an additional 850 once operational.
“Projects like the Geelong Renewables Terminal will be important as we work towards becoming a renewable energy superpower, contributing to Australia’s 2050 net zero emissions target and I am pleased to support this project.”
