THE FEDERAL Government has announced the next steps for the Southern Ocean offshore wind zone, as part of its Reliable Renewables Plan.
Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm has been preliminarily offered a feasibility licence for a potential offshore wind farm to be developed by Alinta Energy and Parkwind, which is part of Jera Nex, the joint release said.
The Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, and Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, released the update, claiming the project will create hundreds of jobs during construction and operation, as well as inject hundreds of millions of dollars into southwest Victoria’s economy.
The Government says that, should the project go ahead, it could generate 1.2 GigaWatts of electricity; enough to supply around 10 per cent of Victoria’s current electricity needs, equivalent to 650,000 Victorian homes.
Aiming to maximise the proposed project’s potential economic and social benefits for the region, workers, and local supply chains, the government will convene a Southern Ocean Wind Industry Committee, bringing together a number of parties representing various groups, including local industry and workers’ representatives.
The Committee will reportedly work to maximise local content, as well as broader local benefits, for workers, industry and the regional economy.
According to the Minister, this industry could support future onshore manufacturing for Victoria, as it builds on the local industrial expertise and infrastructure in Portland and surrounds.
Minister Chris Bowen said his decision today is a “big step” towards powering communities and industries across southwest Victoria, with reliable renewables delivered by an offshore wind industry.
“Offshore wind represents a huge opportunity for regional Australia, providing reliable renewables to power homes and heavy industry while creating highly skilled and well-paid jobs now and into the future,” he said.
Victorian Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said it is another “real step” closer to delivering the Government’s target of at least two gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2032, along with net zero by 2045.
“Victoria has world-class offshore wind resources and we look forward to Spinifex harnessing that to create reliable renewable energy for our homes and businesses and to share the benefits of this with the local community through jobs, local supply chains and community benefit sharing program,” MP D’Ambrosio said.
“Offshore wind will create real benefits for Victoria and Australia’s renewable energy production – creating hundreds of jobs, support for our key industries and reliable renewable energy as coal-fired power plants close.”
