The Australian federal government has taken a significant step towards developing offshore wind energy by awarding the first feasibility licence for the Southern Ocean offshore wind zone.
This announcement was made by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen and Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio.
The 1.2-gigawatt (GW) Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm project, a joint venture between Alinta Energy and Parkwind, has been granted the preliminary feasibility licence.
This $4 billion project is expected to host between 50 and 75 turbines and could potentially supply 10 per cent of Victoria’s electricity needs.
The Spinifex project is strategically located to take advantage of existing heavy-duty transmission infrastructure near the Portland aluminium smelter.
This positioning offers a significant advantage over other potential sites that would require extensive infrastructure development.
Minister D’Ambrosio emphasised the importance of this development, stating: “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.”
The declared Southern Ocean offshore wind zone, covering 1030 square kilometres, was carefully delineated to work around environmentally sensitive areas such as the Bonney Upwelling and Deen Maar Island, as well as existing shipping routes.
This consideration for environmental and cultural heritage factors has been a key aspect of the zone’s declaration.
The feasibility licence grants Spinifex exclusive seven-year seabed rights to develop the project and apply for a commercial licence.
During this period, the developers are required to undertake detailed environmental assessments and begin consultations with various stakeholders, including the shipping, tourism, and fishing industries.
This development aligns with Victoria’s ambitious target of generating 2 GW of offshore wind energy by 2032.
The Southern Ocean zone has the potential to generate up to 2.9 GW of offshore wind energy, significantly contributing to the state’s renewable energy goals.
As the offshore wind industry in Australia continues to develop, it promises to create numerous job opportunities and contribute substantially to the country’s transition to renewable energy sources.
The success of this project could pave the way for further offshore wind developments in the region.
